Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Killeen, TX
Relocating 1379 mi from Garden Grove to Killeen is a 23h 58m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1379 mi · 23h 58m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 190 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Downey, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.8% moving from Garden Grove to Killeen — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,013,183 in Garden Grove to $219,957 in Killeen, a 19.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| 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" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 34.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.1°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Killeen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.61 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.8% — $90,166 → $58,339 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen 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 Killeen compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 12.5 in.
How far is Killeen, TX from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1379 mi and the route typically takes 23h 58m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 78.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 35.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1379 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Killeen more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 19.8% lower than Garden Grove (91.132 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Killeen, TX.