Garland TX vs Long Beach 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Long Beach
24.7%
White
Garland
37.5%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Long Beach
43.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.8 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 24.7% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 15.3% | 11.9% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 43.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Long Beach
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.0% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $862,599 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 40.9% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Garland, TX | Long Beach, 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%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Long Beach
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.5% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Long Beach
64.7°F
Long Beach +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 64.7°F | Long Beach + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 32.6 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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