Moving from McKinney, TX to Garland, TX
It is a short 27 mi hop from McKinney, TX to Garland, TX β roughly 36 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
27 mi Β· 36 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 75, PGBT, TX 78 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Richardson, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.09 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $481,963 to $286,805 moving to Garland.
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in McKinney (64.9Β°F) and Garland (65.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 3.04 |
Garland households earn about 0.0% less than McKinney at the median β $120,273 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 McKinney vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 37.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 40.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Garland compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney 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.
How far is Garland, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 27 mi and the route typically takes 36 min via US 75 and PGBT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 27 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Garland, TX.