Moving from Garland, TX to West Covina, CA
It is 1435 mi between Garland and West Covina β roughly 24h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1435 mi Β· 24h 42m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Mckinney, Allen, Dallas, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | West Covina | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
West Covina runs about 10.2% more expensive overall than Garland β RPP 103.09 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $286,805 in Garland to $852,373 in West Covina, a 10.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, West Covina +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 14.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 65.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: West Covina sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 107,436 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $98,570 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 3.3 |
West Covina households earn about 10.2% more than Garland at the median β $74,717 β $98,570 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Covina MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Covina average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: West Covina sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Garland vs West Covina?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,570 in West Covina vs $74,717 in Garland β a 31.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is West Covina, CA from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 1435 mi and the route typically takes 24h 42m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Garland to West Covina?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1435 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 West Covina compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $852,373 in West Covina vs $286,805 in Garland β a 197.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in West Covina compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the West Covina MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is West Covina more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Covina is 10.2% higher than Garland (113.566 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· West Covina, CA.