Moving from Garland, TX to Memphis, TN
Moving from Garland, TX to Memphis, TN covers 449 mi and about 7h 52m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
449 mi Β· 7h 52m by car Β· TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Mesquite, Dallas, Mckinney, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Memphis are 10.6% below Garland β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Memphis typical home at $144,710 is 10.6% under Garland at $286,805 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 54.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 63.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Memphis is 10.6% below Garland ($74,717 vs $51,211, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Memphis, TN from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 449 mi and the route typically takes 7h 52m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garland to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 449 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $286,805 in Garland β a 49.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $74,717 in Garland β a 31.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Memphis more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 10.6% lower than Garland (92.179 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 3,966,500 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 Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Memphis, TN.