Garland TX vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Independence
5.3%
White
Garland
37.5%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 121,944 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.4 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 5.3% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 15.3% | 10.8% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.4% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 12.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $59,480 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 20.9% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 61.0% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Garland, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.3% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.9% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.4% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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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