Moving from Lansing, MI to Garland, TX
Relocating 1139 mi from Lansing to Garland is a 20h 19m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1139 mi Β· 20h 19m by car Β· TX β AR β MO β IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β MO β IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lansing | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.991 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.519 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.472 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Garland runs about 8.5% more expensive overall than Lansing β RPP 94.991 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $163,359 in Lansing to $286,805 in Garland, a 8.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lansing +4.0%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lansing | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 50.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperature jumps 17.3Β°F β 48.5Β°F in Lansing vs 65.8Β°F in Garland, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANSING CAPITAL CITY AP, MI US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lansing | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $52,170 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.04 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.5% β $52,170 β $74,717 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Garland average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Lansing to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1139 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Garland, TX from Lansing, MI?
The driving distance is 1139 mi and the route typically takes 20h 19m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Lansing?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $163,359 in Lansing β a 75.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Garland more expensive than Lansing?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 8.5% higher than Lansing (103.09 vs 94.991, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Lansing?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $49,250 in the Lansing MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 211,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lansing vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $52,170 in Lansing β a 43.2% higher 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 Lansing.
City profiles: Lansing, MI Β· Garland, TX.