Moving from Garland, TX to Houston, TX
Relocating between Garland, TX and Houston, TX is a 250 mi drive β 4h 30m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
250 mi Β· 4h 30m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, I 635, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Garland and Houston sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Houston run about 4.3% cheaper β ZHVI $286,805 β $264,336 (2026-03).
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 54.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 70.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.3% lower in Houston than Garland.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $286,805 in Garland β a 7.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Garland to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 250 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 250 mi and the route typically takes 4h 30m via I 45 and I 635. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $74,717 in Garland β a 15.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Houston more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.3% lower than Garland (98.629 vs 103.09, 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 Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Houston, TX.