Moving from Lubbock, TX to Garden Grove, CA
It is 1107 mi between Lubbock and Garden Grove β roughly 19h 30m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1107 mi Β· 19h 30m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 84, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.317 in Lubbock to 113.566 in Garden Grove, putting overall prices 24.4% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 24.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $209,436 to $1,013,183 moving to Garden Grove.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lubbock | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Lubbock (61.8Β°F) and Garden Grove (66.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Garden Grove 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: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 3.51 |
Garden Grove households earn about 24.4% more than Lubbock at the median β $60,487 β $90,166 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- 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
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Garden Grove more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garden Grove is 24.4% higher than Lubbock (113.566 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 1107 mi and the route typically takes 19h 30m via I 40 and US 84. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1107 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $60,487 in Lubbock β a 49.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $209,436 in Lubbock β a 383.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX Β· Garden Grove, CA.