Moving from San Antonio, TX to Garland, TX
Moving from San Antonio, TX to Garland, TX covers 292 mi and about 5h 19m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
292 mi Β· 5h 19m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 94.716 in San Antonio to 103.09 in Garland, a 8.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Garland at $286,805 is 8.8% above San Antonio at $249,810.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Garland is 8.8% above San Antonio ($62,917 β $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 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.
- 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
How does the job market in Garland compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 18.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 14.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Garland, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 292 mi and the route typically takes 5h 19m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Garland more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 8.8% higher than San Antonio (103.09 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 292 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX Β· Garland, TX.