Garland TX vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 10.8% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 36.5% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 4.8% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 20.7% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $51,888 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $29,679 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 23.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 41.5% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 41.8% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.7% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.1% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.3% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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%.
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