Garland TX vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
Garland
37.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Garland
15.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $527,542 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Garland +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.5% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.6% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 28.6% | Garland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Paterson 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%.
Compare More Cities
Garland, TX vs New York, NYGarland, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Garland, TXGarland, TX vs Houston, TXGarland, TX vs Phoenix, AZGarland, TX vs Philadelphia, PA