Moving from Plano, TX to South Fulton, GA
The drive from Plano, TX to South Fulton, GA runs 789 mi β about 14h 25m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
789 mi Β· 14h 25m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Lewisville, Mckinney, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Plano | South Fulton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in South Fulton and Plano 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
YoY change: Plano -5.3%, South Fulton β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Plano | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Plano (65.8Β°F) and South Fulton (63.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
South Fulton averages 2.2 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Plano | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 109,157 |
| Median household income | $108,649 | $81,798 |
| Median age | 39.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.76 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.9% between Plano and South Fulton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Fulton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in South Fulton average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: South Fulton averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Plano vs South Fulton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,798 in South Fulton vs $108,649 in Plano β a 24.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Plano to South Fulton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 789 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is South Fulton, GA from Plano, TX?
The driving distance is 789 mi and the route typically takes 14h 25m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is South Fulton more expensive than Plano?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Fulton is 2.9% lower than Plano (100.058 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in South Fulton compare to Plano?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA vs $48,440 in the Plano MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Plano.
City profiles: Plano, TX Β· South Fulton, GA.