Garland TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Garland
37.5%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 205,501 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 23.2% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 15.3% | 12.1% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 6.9% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 24.9% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $67,544 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 19.8% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $435,532 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 42.4% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.3% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.9% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.5% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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