Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Round Rock, TX
It is 1389 mi between Garden Grove and Round Rock — roughly 24h 2m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1389 mi · 24h 2m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.6% cheaper overall in Round Rock than Garden Grove on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.66 |
Households in Round Rock earn about 13.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- 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 Round Rock, TX from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1389 mi and the route typically takes 24h 2m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 13.6% lower than Garden Grove (98.066 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 59.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1389 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 7.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Round Rock, TX.