Garland TX vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%

Lee's Summit, MO

Missouri · Population: 102,583

  • Median HH Income$104,989
  • Median Home Price$313,200
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+48.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Garland
37.5%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Lee's Summit
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Lee's Summit
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +

Which City is Right for You?

Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.

Compare More Cities

About Garland & Lee's Summit