Garland TX vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.8 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 37.5% | 16.5% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.9% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 37.2% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $48,416 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $25,509 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 10.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 24.7% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 17.4% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $482,675 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 24.1% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Garland +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.9% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.6% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.0% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 23.4% | Garland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.2% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 35.9 min | Garland + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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