Garland TX vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Garland
37.5%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 235,037 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 7.7% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 15.3% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.7% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 9.9% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $64,017 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $310,519 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 45.7% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.9% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.4% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.7% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 50.8 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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