Garland TX vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Garland
37.5%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.6 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 10.7% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 15.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.3% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 17.9% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $57,673 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 17.9% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $419,326 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 54.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.4% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.5% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Garland, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 58.4 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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