Garland TX vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 11.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 15.3% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 4.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 13.3% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $62,995 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.7% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 55.3% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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