Garland TX vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL

Florida · Population: 260,646

  • Median HH Income$73,118
  • Median Home Price$331,500
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+41.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Garland
245,298
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Garland
37.5%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Garland
15.3%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
St. Petersburg
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +

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, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Garland & St. Petersburg