Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 51.3% | 37.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 15.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
$74,717
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $74,717 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $31,477 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 25.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 22.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Garland
69.1°F
Garland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 69.1°F | Garland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 49.5 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 32.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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