City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 201 in Charlotte, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 187, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Charlotte is cheaper. Median rent is $1,612 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Charlotte and Garland split most clearly. Garland scores 114 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,612 in Charlotte and $1,641 in Garland.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Charlotte is the easier city on typical rent, but Garland can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Garland has rougher pockets and Charlotte has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Charlotte and Garland are 917 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,612 a month in Charlotte to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $29 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $82,068 in Charlotte to $76,320 in Garland, down $5,748 (7%).
The crime index goes from 201 in Charlotte to 87 in Garland, down 114 points (57%).
The move
Garland and Charlotte are 917 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,612 a month in Charlotte, down $29 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $82,068 in Charlotte, up $5,748 (8%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 201 in Charlotte, up 114 points (131%).
Charlotte, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Garland, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Charlotte and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Charlotte rent is 2% cheaper than Garland
Charlotte
Winner$1,612/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,612 a month in Charlotte versus $1,641 in Garland, so Charlotte is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $29, or $348 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Charlotte? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Charlotte's median income is 8% higher than Garland
Charlotte
Winner$82,068
Garland
$76,320
Median household income is $82,068 in Charlotte versus $76,320 in Garland, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Charlotte (about $5,748 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
57% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 57% lower than Charlotte
Charlotte
201 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 201 in Charlotte (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 57% lower in Garland. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Garland is the easier city. Charlotte can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
25% more comfortable
Garland weather is 25% more comfortable than Charlotte
Charlotte
58°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 80/100
Garland
Winner66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Charlotte averages about 58°F (68°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Charlotte averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Garland sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Garland scores 25% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Charlotte if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Charlotte is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% cheaper here at about $1,612 a month. Choose Charlotte if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Charlotte is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($82,068). Start with Charlotte if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Garland if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (66°F) beat Charlotte on this page's weather index by 25%. Charlotte may pay more or cost less, but Garland is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 57% lower than Charlotte (87 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Garland scores 64/100 versus 39/100 in Charlotte. Rent is $1,641/month in Garland and $1,612/month in Charlotte, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (64/100 in Garland vs 39/100 in Charlotte), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $82,068 in Charlotte versus $76,320 in Garland.
Between Charlotte and Garland, Garland is ahead on safety — 64/100 safety versus 39/100. Lean Charlotte instead when you already know the Charlotte block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Charlotte when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Charlotte and Garland, plus other cities in NC and TX.
