Moving from Garland, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL
The drive from Garland, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL runs 587 mi β about 10h 42m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
587 mi Β· 10h 42m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Tuscaloosa is 14.9% cheaper than Garland overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tuscaloosa is 14.9% below Garland β $286,805 vs $228,947 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 57.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Garland (65.8Β°F) and Tuscaloosa (64.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.9% between Garland and Tuscaloosa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa 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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 14.9% lower than Garland (87.722 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $74,717 in Garland β a 35.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 587 mi and the route typically takes 10h 42m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garland to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 587 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 Tuscaloosa compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $286,805 in Garland β a 20.2% lower 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.