Moving from Grand Prairie, TX to Garland, TX
Moving from Grand Prairie, TX to Garland, TX is a 38 mi drive, about 49 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
38 mi Β· 49 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | PGBT, I 635, I 635 TEXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Dallas, Richardson, Mckinney, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Grand Prairie | Garland | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Grand Prairie (103.09) and Garland (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Garland ZHVI at $286,805 is 0.0% below Grand Prairie at $316,527.
YoY change: Grand Prairie -2.8%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Grand Prairie | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.1" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOE POOL LAKE, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Grand Prairie | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $78,889 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.8% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Garland is 0.0% below Grand Prairie ($78,889 β $74,717, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garland 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 Garland 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 Garland, TX from Grand Prairie, TX?
The driving distance is 38 mi and the route typically takes 49 min via PGBT and I 635. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Grand Prairie vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $78,889 in Grand Prairie β a 5.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Grand Prairie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $48,440 in the Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 38 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 Garland compared to Grand Prairie?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $316,527 in Grand Prairie β a 9.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Grand Prairie.
City profiles: Grand Prairie, TX Β· Garland, TX.