Garland TX vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 198,440 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.2 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 5.5% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 27.7% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.3% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 4.8% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $55,687 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 20.9% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 54.3% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 46.4% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.7% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.6% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.3% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 64.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 52.8 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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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