Garland TX vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 227,595 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 8.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 15.3% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 10.3% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $62,671 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.8% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $374,265 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 43.5% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.9% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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