Garland TX vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Garland
37.5%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 100,731 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.0 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 20.7% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 15.3% | 6.0% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.5% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 24.5% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Garland, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $56,025 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $30,475 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 19.9% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 16.8% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Garland, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $439,767 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 40.0% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Garland, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.3% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.2% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 22.0% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 21.4% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 51.9 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Garland, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Garland, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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