Garland TX vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Ontario
21.0%
White
Garland
37.5%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Ontario
40.0%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 138,723 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.9 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 21.0% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 15.3% | 1.6% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 40.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $671,948 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 58.1% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Garland, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.8% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 17.0% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 65.5°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 28.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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