Moving from Garland, TX to Norman, OK
Moving from Garland, TX to Norman, OK covers 203 mi and about 3h 43m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
203 mi Β· 3h 43m by car Β· TX β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Mesquite, Mckinney, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.09 to 90.408, putting Norman roughly 12.3% below Garland on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Norman ZHVI at $262,839 is 12.3% below Garland at $286,805.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 37.7" |
Norman is 5.1Β°F cooler on the annual average (65.8Β°F vs 60.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Light snow year: Norman gets around 4.1 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Norman is 12.3% below Garland ($74,717 β $65,060, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Norman average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Norman compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $286,805 in Garland β a 8.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Norman, OK from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 203 mi and the route typically takes 3h 43m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garland to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 203 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Norman more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 12.3% lower than Garland (90.408 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $74,717 in Garland β a 12.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Norman, OK.