Albany GA vs Garland TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Albany
18.9%
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 18.9% | 37.5% | Garland + |
| Black | 76.3% | 15.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $31,477 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 25.0% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Garland
$289,605
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $289,605 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Albany, GA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Albany +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Garland
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 22.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.1% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Albany +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 69.1°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 49.5 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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