Moving from Lowell, MA to Garland, TX
Cross-country relocations like Lowell, MA β Garland, TX cover 1753 mi and about 32h 39m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1753 mi Β· 32h 39m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Garland and Lowell is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Garland is 4.8% below Lowell β $480,319 vs $286,805 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 41.9" |
Garland runs 16.8Β°F warmer on the annual average (49.0Β°F vs 65.8Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 3.04 |
Median household incomes in Lowell ($76,205) and Garland ($74,717) are within a few percent (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.
Moving between Massachusetts and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 40.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Garland, TX from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 1753 mi and the route typically takes 32h 39m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 2.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lowell to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1753 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Garland more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 4.8% lower than Lowell (103.09 vs 108.266, 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 Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· Garland, TX.