Garland TX vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Waco
9.8%
White
Garland
37.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 141,925 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 9.8% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 15.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.0% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 29.9% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $51,468 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $28,819 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 24.0% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 48.9% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Waco
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.8% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.4% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco 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%.
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