Garland TX vs Johnson City TN — 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%

Johnson City, TN

Tennessee · Population: 71,455

  • Median HH Income$55,429
  • Median Home Price$294,254
  • Unemployment5.9%
  • Bachelor's+41.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Johnson City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Johnson City
49.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Johnson City
2350

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Johnson City
17.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Johnson City
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +

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 639 in Johnson City. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Garland & Johnson City