Moving from Providence, RI to Garland, TX
A 1716 mi cross-country move between Providence and Garland is 31h 52m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1716 mi Β· 31h 52m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β RI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β RI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Providence | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.773 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.809 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.116 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.851 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Providence +2.3%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Providence | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.5" | 41.9" |
Annual temperature rises 13.7Β°F moving to Garland per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP, RI US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Providence | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $66,772 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 3.04 |
Households in Garland earn about 1.3% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Rhode Island 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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 (13.7Β°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
How does household income compare in Providence vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $66,772 in Providence β a 11.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Garland more expensive than Providence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 1.3% higher than Providence (103.09 vs 101.773, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Providence to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1716 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 Providence, RI?
The driving distance is 1716 mi and the route typically takes 31h 52m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Providence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $426,007 in Providence β a 32.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Providence.
City profiles: Providence, RI Β· Garland, TX.