Garland TX vs Grand Prairie TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Grand Prairie
198,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Grand Prairie
23.7%
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 198,564 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 23.7% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 32.9% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 24.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 6.5% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $78,889 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $34,348 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Grand Prairie
57.9%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $318,759 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 57.9% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Grand Prairie
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Grand Prairie
2339
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Prairie, 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
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Grand Prairie
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Grand Prairie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.8% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.6% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 22.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Prairie, 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
Garland
32.5 min
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 30.5 min | Grand Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Grand Prairie 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%.
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