Garland TX vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Garland
37.5%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.5 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 19.9% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 15.3% | 6.6% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 8.2% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $871,599 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 44.3% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Garland, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.0% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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