Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Laredo, TX
The drive from Garden Grove, CA to Laredo, TX runs 1391 mi — about 24h 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.
1391 mi · 24h 42m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 67, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Laredo is 23.4% lower than Garden Grove — the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Laredo: 23.4% below Garden Grove on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 19.7" |
Climate warms by 8.9°F on the annual average — 66.1°F → 75.0°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 3.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 23.4% between Garden Grove and Laredo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1391 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 78.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1391 mi and the route typically takes 24h 42m via I 10 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (8.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 12.5 in.
Is Laredo more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 23.4% lower than Garden Grove (86.956 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 29.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 6,185,570 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 Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Laredo, TX.