Garland TX vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 21.3% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 36.8% | Garland + |
| Black | 15.3% | 12.4% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 29.5% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.4% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $480,548 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 51.5% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.9% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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