Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Garland, TX
A 1717 mi cross-country move between Elk Grove and Garland is 30h 22m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1717 mi Β· 30h 22m 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 99 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Mesquite, Plano, Mckinney, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 39 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 3.04 |
Garland households earn about 3.4% less than Elk Grove at the median β $122,229 β $74,717 on 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 does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 38.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 55.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Garland, TX from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1717 mi and the route typically takes 30h 22m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Garland more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 3.4% lower than Elk Grove (103.09 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1717 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,048,170 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 Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Garland, TX.