Moving from McAllen, TX to Garland, TX
It is 538 mi between McAllen and Garland β roughly 9h 27m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 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.
538 mi Β· 9h 27m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, TX 130 TOLL, I 69C |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Garland is 20.0% above McAllen β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McAllen | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 41.9" |
Annual temperature drops 9.7Β°F moving to Garland per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 34 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 3.04 |
Garland households earn about 20.0% more than McAllen at the median β $60,165 β $74,717 on 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 does household income compare in McAllen vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $60,165 in McAllen β a 24.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 538 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Garland compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $229,001 in McAllen β a 25.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Garland, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 538 mi and the route typically takes 9h 27m via US 281 and TX 130 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Garland more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 20.0% higher than McAllen (103.09 vs 85.895, 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 McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX Β· Garland, TX.