Garland TX vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Garland
15.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.6 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 6.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 15.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.4% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 5.1% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $55,279 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 19.8% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 45.4% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Louis, 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. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.8% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.2% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.9% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.8% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Louis, 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. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Garland, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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