Garland TX vs Kirkland WA — 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%

Kirkland, WA

Washington · Population: 57,088

  • Median HH Income$87,277
  • Median Home Price$1,274,801
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+32.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Garland
37.5%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Kirkland
10.0%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Kirkland
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Kirkland
57.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Kirkland
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +

Climate

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

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +

Which City is Right for You?

Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Garland & Kirkland