Garland TX vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Garland
37.5%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 22.4% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 15.3% | 6.0% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 8.3% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.5% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $648,603 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 56.3% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Garland, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.5% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 66.8°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 34.1 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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