Garland TX vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Garland
37.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 125,273 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 41.3 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 15.1% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 15.3% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 19.7% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $67,521 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 22.6% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $304,173 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.5% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.6% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.5% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
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, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Palm Bay 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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