Moving from Fargo, ND to Garland, TX
The drive from Fargo, ND to Garland, TX runs 1083 mi β about 18h 42m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1083 mi Β· 18h 42m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β NE β IA β SD β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β NE β IA β SD β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 29, US 6, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Mesquite, Plano, Mckinney, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.4% pricier overall in Garland than Fargo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 13.4% lower in Garland than Fargo as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 41.9" |
NOAA normals show Garland running 24.4Β°F above Fargo on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.04 |
Income steps up 13.4%: $66,029 in Fargo vs $74,717 in Garland.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Dakota and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Garland average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (24.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Garland, TX from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1083 mi and the route typically takes 18h 42m via I 29 and US 6. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Garland more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 13.4% higher than Fargo (103.09 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 13.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1083 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 8.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Garland, TX.