Garland TX vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Garland
37.5%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 202,739 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.4 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 7.9% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 15.3% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.0% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 10.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $60,583 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.4% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 54.2% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Garland, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 40.5% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.5% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.3% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 50.0 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 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