Moving from Vallejo, CA to Garland, TX
Moving from Vallejo, CA to Garland, TX is a 1740 mi cross-country relocation β about 30h 43m of driving through 4 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1740 mi Β· 30h 43m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Mesquite, Plano, Mckinney, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vallejo | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 108.479 to 103.09, putting Garland roughly 5.0% below Vallejo on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Garland: 5.0% below Vallejo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Vallejo -5.4%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vallejo | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.5" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VALLEJO, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vallejo | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,637 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $89,496 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 40 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Garland is 5.0% below Vallejo ($89,496 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.
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
- 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 far is Garland, TX from Vallejo, CA?
The driving distance is 1740 mi and the route typically takes 30h 43m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Vallejo vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $89,496 in Vallejo β a 16.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Vallejo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Garland more expensive than Vallejo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 5.0% lower than Vallejo (103.09 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Vallejo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $520,970 in Vallejo β a 44.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Vallejo to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1740 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 Vallejo.
City profiles: Vallejo, CA Β· Garland, TX.