Garland TX vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Garland
37.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 220,482 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.3 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 12.2% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 15.3% | 10.5% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 8.8% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 13.1% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $496,966 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 56.5% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.3% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.7% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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