Garland TX vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
McKinney
21.0%
White
Garland
37.5%
McKinney
37.8%
McKinney +
Black
Garland
15.3%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
McKinney
44.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 148,848 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 21.0% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 37.8% | McKinney + |
| Black | 15.3% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.0% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 44.7% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
McKinney
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
McKinney
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Garland, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $71,843 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $29,291 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.4% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 18.5% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Garland, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $487,346 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
McKinney
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
McKinney
2339
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Garland, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.3% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Garland, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 64.2°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
McKinney
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 35.6 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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