Garland TX vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Garland
37.5%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 156,309 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.0 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 8.5% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 15.3% | 1.4% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 4.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 22.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $575,076 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 58.1% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.7% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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