Moving from Rockford, IL to Garland, TX
The drive from Rockford, IL to Garland, TX runs 913 mi β about 16h 59m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
913 mi Β· 16h 59m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Plano, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Garland is 11.9% higher than Rockford, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Garland is 11.9% above Rockford β $177,225 vs $286,805 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 41.9" |
Garland runs 16.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (49.4Β°F vs 65.8Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.04 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.9% between Rockford and Garland (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.
Moving between Illinois 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.
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 (16.4Β°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 much do homes cost in Garland compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 61.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Garland more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 11.9% higher than Rockford (103.09 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 40.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Garland, TX from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 913 mi and the route typically takes 16h 59m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 913 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL Β· Garland, TX.