Garland TX vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Jackson
34.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 149,827 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 1.5% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 14.5% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 0.3% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 2.2% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $43,238 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $26,868 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $46,995 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 9.4% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 26.8% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 48.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 46.0% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.4% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 54.1 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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