Moving from Rialto, CA to Garland, TX

A move from Rialto, CA to Garland, TX covers 1407 mi and around 24h 13m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

1407 mi Β· 24h 13m by car Β· TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA

COL -3.1% Home values -51.3% Ξ” -0.8Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1407 mi
Drive time
24h 13m
States
4
Fuel (25 mpg)
56 gal
Route throughTX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA
Primary highwaysI 10, I 20, US 95
Major cities en routeMesquite, Mckinney, Richardson, Allen, Dallas

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

RialtoGarlandU.S. avg
All items (RPP)106.442103.09100.0
Rents148.64190.711100.0
Goods101.431102.838100.0
Services129.312117.874100.0

Garland and Rialto are close on the overall BEA RPP (106.442 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Rialto β€” typical home
$588,566
Garland β€” typical home
$286,805
Rialto β€” typical rent
$2,759/mo
Garland β€” typical rent
$1,559/mo

Housing gap is large: Garland typical home at $286,805 is 3.1% under Rialto at $588,566 (Zillow, 2026-03).

YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsRialtoGarland
Annual avg temperature67Β°F66Β°F
January avg low44Β°F36Β°F
July avg high94Β°F94Β°F
Annual snowfall0.0"β€”
Annual precipitation9.9"41.9"

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β€” 66.6Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023RialtoGarland
Population103,866245,298
Median household income$85,521$74,717
Median age31.834.7
Bachelor's degree or higher9.2%16.3%
Avg household size3.873.04

Median household income in Garland is 3.1% below Rialto ($85,521 β†’ $74,717, ACS 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Rialto MSA β€” median wage
$47,450
Garland MSA β€” median wage
$48,440
Rialto MSA β€” employment
1,661,860
Garland MSA β€” employment
3,966,500

Top occupations in Garland MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 California and Texas

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Texas income tax
no state income tax

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 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.

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

  • 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.
  • 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 Rialto vs Garland?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $85,521 in Rialto β€” a 12.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Rialto?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $588,566 in Rialto β€” a 51.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Garland, TX from Rialto, CA?

The driving distance is 1407 mi and the route typically takes 24h 13m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

When is the best time to move from Rialto 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 1407 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Is Garland more expensive than Rialto?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 3.1% lower than Rialto (103.09 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does the job market in Garland compare to Rialto?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.

City profiles: Rialto, CA Β· Garland, TX.

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