Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Garland
245,298
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Garland
11.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Garland
45.0%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 245,298 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.7 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 38.0% | 37.5% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 11.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 45.0% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $31,477 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 25.0% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Garland
442
Garland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Garland
2339
Garland +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Garland
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 22.6% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 69.1°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 49.5 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.5 min | Fresno + |
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 503 in Fresno. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA