Garland TX vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 11,626 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 12.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 15.3% | 4.7% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.6% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 37.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.2% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.5% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.8% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 34.4 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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