Garland TX vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Garland
37.5%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 82,506 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 48.4 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 12.9% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 8.8% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.7% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 14.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $60,465 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $312,001 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 61.1% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 38.9% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.3% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Garland +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 72.6°F | Garland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 54.8 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
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, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Garland, TX vs New York, NYGarland, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Garland, TXGarland, TX vs Houston, TXGarland, TX vs Phoenix, AZGarland, TX vs Philadelphia, PA