Moving from Garland, TX to Richardson, TX
The drive from Garland to Richardson covers 9.0 mi in about 16 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
9.0 mi Β· 16 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 78, PGBT, TX 190 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Dallas, Mckinney, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Richardson | 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 |
Richardson and Garland are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.09 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Richardson typical home at $440,400 is 0.0% above Garland at $286,805 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 41.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.0% between Garland and Richardson (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 Richardson 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Richardson, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 9.0 mi and the route typically takes 16 min via TX 78 and PGBT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
When is the best time to move from Garland to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 9.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $74,717 in Garland β a 28.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $286,805 in Garland β a 53.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Richardson, TX.