Moving from Springfield, MA to Garland, TX
Cross-country relocations like Springfield, MA β Garland, TX cover 1678 mi and about 31h 10m of driving through 10 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.
1678 mi Β· 31h 10m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV 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
| Springfield | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.061 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.996 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.781 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.3% pricier overall in Garland than Springfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Springfield +3.5%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | 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 | 45.2" | 41.9" |
NOAA normals show Garland running 16.4Β°F above Springfield on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $51,339 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 3.04 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 7.3% between Springfield and Garland (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 (16.4Β°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 far is Garland, TX from Springfield, MA?
The driving distance is 1678 mi and the route typically takes 31h 10m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1678 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $51,339 in Springfield β a 45.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Garland more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 7.3% higher than Springfield (103.09 vs 96.061, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $294,613 in Springfield β a 2.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MA Β· Garland, TX.