Garland TX vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Garland
37.5%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 185,097 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 3.8% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 15.3% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 3.1% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $51,090 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.9% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 51.4% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Mobile
17.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 40.0% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 67.4°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 65.3 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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