Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Garland, TX
Relocating 1442 mi from Santa Ana to Garland is a 24h 54m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1442 mi Β· 24h 54m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.2% moving from Santa Ana to Garland β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $866,066 in Santa Ana to $286,805 in Garland, a 9.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 41.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.1Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.04 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.2% lower in Garland than Santa Ana.
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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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
Is Garland more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 9.2% lower than Santa Ana (103.09 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Garland, TX from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 1442 mi and the route typically takes 24h 54m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 66.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 15.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1442 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Garland, TX.