Garland TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Garland
37.5%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.4 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 9.1% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 15.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 7.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 8.9% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $427,121 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.5% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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