Garland TX vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Garland
37.5%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 71,542 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.9 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 4.2% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 15.3% | 6.7% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.4% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 7.7% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $55,578 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.7% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 22.7% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 61.4% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.9% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.4% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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