Garland TX vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 170,013 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 13.9% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 35.5% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 4.0% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $29,766 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.1% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.5% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 20.1% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $466,147 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 58.4% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.0% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 33.0 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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