Moving from Fontana, CA to Garland, TX
The drive from Fontana, CA to Garland, TX runs 1395 mi β about 24h 16m 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.
1395 mi Β· 24h 16m 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, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Mesquite, Plano, Frisco, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Garland and Fontana is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Garland is 3.1% below Fontana β $639,032 vs $286,805 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Fontana (66.8Β°F) and Garland (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 3.04 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.1% between Fontana 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 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 much do homes cost in Garland compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 55.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Garland more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 3.1% lower than Fontana (103.09 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Garland, TX from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 1395 mi and the route typically takes 24h 16m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 23.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1395 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 Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Garland, TX.