Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Garland
11.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 54.8% | 37.5% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 11.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Garland
$74,717
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $74,717 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $31,477 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 25.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Garland
442
Garland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Garland
2339
Garland +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 34.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 22.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 69.1°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 49.5 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 32.5 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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