Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Garland
245,298
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 245,298 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 11.7% | 37.5% | Garland + |
| Black | 76.8% | 15.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $31,477 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 25.0% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Garland
$289,605
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $289,605 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Garland
442
Garland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Garland
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 22.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 69.1°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 49.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 32.5 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA