Garland TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Salem
12.2%
White
Garland
37.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 176,666 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 12.2% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 15.3% | 1.6% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.5% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 23.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $71,900 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.7% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $438,754 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 55.7% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Garland, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 41.4% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
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, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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