Garland TX vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Madison
11.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 11.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 15.3% | 7.1% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 8.0% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 9.3% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.2% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $429,253 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 46.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.8% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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