Garland TX vs Grand Rapids MI — 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Garland
37.5%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 197,768 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 11.3% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 15.3% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.9% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $65,526 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.6% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $309,801 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 54.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.4% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.9% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.6% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.0% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
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 471 in Grand Rapids. 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%.
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