Garland TX vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Naperville
22.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 149,424 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 40.1 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 22.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 15.3% | 4.4% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 7.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $618,452 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.7% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Naperville, IL | 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
Garland +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 33.8 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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