Fort Worth 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)

Fort Worth, TX

Texas · Population: 941,311

  • Median HH Income$76,602
  • Median Home Price$299,655
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+31.7%

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 Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Garland
245,298
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Garland
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Garland
$74,717
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Garland
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Garland
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Garland
25.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Garland
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Garland
2339
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Fort Worth +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
Garland
49.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Garland
32.5 min

Which City is Right for You?

Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, 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 Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.

Compare More Cities

About Fort Worth & Garland