Garland TX vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Plano
28.7%
White
Garland
37.5%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.3 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 28.7% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 15.3% | 9.0% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 16.2% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Plano
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $507,575 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 56.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Plano
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Plano
2339
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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