Moving from Garland, TX to Allen, TX
It is a short 18 mi hop from Garland, TX to Allen, TX β roughly 23 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
18 mi Β· 23 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | PGBT, US 75, TX 78 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Richardson, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 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
0.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.97 |
Allen households earn about 0.0% more than Garland at the median β $74,717 β $129,130 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen 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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Allen average 95Β°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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $286,805 in Garland β a 72.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Allen, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 18 mi and the route typically takes 23 min via PGBT and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garland to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 18 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 Allen compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $74,717 in Garland β a 72.8% 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 Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Allen, TX.