Garland TX vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Garland
37.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 13.7% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 15.3% | 5.0% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 3.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 42.7% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $54,546 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $31,152 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.8% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $324,946 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 51.7% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Garland +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 69.8°F | Garland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Garland, TX vs New York, NYGarland, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Garland, TXGarland, TX vs Houston, TXGarland, TX vs Phoenix, AZGarland, TX vs Philadelphia, PA