Garland TX vs Knoxville 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Garland
37.5%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 193,721 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 7.0% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.3% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.6% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 7.5% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $50,994 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 20.5% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $371,202 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 46.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Garland, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.0% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 22.0% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.8% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 51.9 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
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 Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville 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%.
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