Garland TX vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Garland
37.5%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 124,865 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.4 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 4.8% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 15.3% | 1.6% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 9.5% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,074 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $534,732 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.6% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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