Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Irving, TX
A move from Garden Grove, CA to Irving, TX covers 1419 mi and around 24h 34m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1419 mi · 24h 34m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Irving are 9.2% below Garden Grove — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Irving typical home at $341,503 is 9.2% under Garden Grove at $1,013,183 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 37.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.1°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.6 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.71 |
Median household income in Irving is 9.2% below Garden Grove ($90,166 → $79,641, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 California 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 does the job market in Irving compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 66.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Irving more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 9.2% lower than Garden Grove (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Irving, TX from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1419 mi and the route typically takes 24h 34m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1419 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 11.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 12.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Irving, TX.