Moving from Round Rock, TX to Garland, TX
It is a 196 mi drive, roughly 3h 34m, between Round Rock, TX and Garland, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
196 mi · 3h 34m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35E, I 635 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $407,077 to $286,805 moving to Garland.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.04 |
Garland households earn about 5.1% less than Round Rock at the median — $97,187 → $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 20–30% 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 94°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 the job market in Garland compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 196 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Garland more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 5.1% higher than Round Rock (103.09 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Garland, TX from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 196 mi and the route typically takes 3h 34m via I 35 and I 35E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 29.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 23.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Garland, TX.