Moving from Garland, TX to San Antonio, TX
Moving from Garland, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 292 mi and about 5h 19m by car through 1 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.
292 mi Β· 5h 19m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | San Antonio | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 94.716 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.169 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 94.575 | 100.0 |
San Antonio is 8.1% cheaper than Garland overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Antonio is 8.1% below Garland ($249,810 vs $286,805 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, San Antonio -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 34.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Garland (65.8Β°F) and San Antonio (69.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
San Antonio gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 1,458,954 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $62,917 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.66 |
Median household income in San Antonio is 8.1% below Garland ($74,717 β $62,917, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Antonio MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 145,480 | $41,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,390 | $28,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,480 | $37,340 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 93,110 | $34,910 |
| Management Occupations | 82,250 | $100,820 |
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 San Antonio average 94Β°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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Antonio compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 1,091,510 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Antonio, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 292 mi and the route typically takes 5h 19m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Antonio compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,810 in San Antonio vs $286,805 in Garland β a 12.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Garland vs San Antonio?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,917 in San Antonio vs $74,717 in Garland β a 15.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Garland to San Antonio?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 292 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Antonio more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Antonio is 8.1% lower than Garland (94.716 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· San Antonio, TX.