Moving from Garland, TX to Austin, TX
Relocating between Garland, TX and Austin, TX is a 212 mi drive β 3h 48m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
212 mi Β· 3h 48m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35E, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Garland and Austin sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $286,805 in Garland to $508,530 in Austin, a 4.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 36.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 70.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.2 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.9% β $74,717 β $91,461 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin 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.
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 Austin average 97Β°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 does the job market in Austin compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Garland to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 212 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Austin, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 212 mi and the route typically takes 3h 48m via I 35 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 4.9% lower than Garland (98.066 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $286,805 in Garland β a 77.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $74,717 in Garland β a 22.4% 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· Austin, TX.