Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Garland
245,298
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 245,298 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.7 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 41.9% | 37.5% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 15.3% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Garland
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $31,477 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 25.0% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Garland
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Garland
2339
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Garland
22.6%
Garland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 22.6% | Garland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 69.1°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 49.5 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.5 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 442 in Dallas. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Dallas, TX vs New York, NYDallas, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dallas, TXDallas, TX vs Houston, TXDallas, TX vs Phoenix, AZDallas, TX vs Philadelphia, PA