Garland TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.1 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 14.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 36.1% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 7.8% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 15.2% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $60,698 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.4% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 22.0% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 52.3% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 34.5 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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