Moving from Midland, TX to Garland, TX
Moving from Midland, TX to Garland, TX covers 351 mi and about 6h 11m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
351 mi · 6h 11m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, TX 183 TEXPRESS, I 820 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Richardson, Dallas, Plano, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Garland is 7.6% higher than Midland, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Garland is 7.6% below Midland ($286,805 vs $328,325 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Midland (65.0°F) and Garland (65.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Garland is 7.6% below Midland ($91,169 → $74,717, ACS 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Garland average 94°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
Is Garland more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 7.6% higher than Midland (103.09 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Midland vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $91,169 in Midland — a 18.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $328,325 in Midland — a 12.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Midland to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Garland, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 351 mi and the route typically takes 6h 11m via I 20 and TX 183 TEXPRESS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Garland, TX.