City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Fresno and Garland split most clearly. Garland scores 108 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,421 in Fresno and $1,641 in Garland.
This is a genuine split. Fresno wins on cost of living and Garland wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Garland has rougher pockets and Fresno has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Fresno and Garland are 1,335 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $220 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $76,320 in Garland, up $5,329 (8%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 87 in Garland, down 108 points (55%).
The move
Garland and Fresno are 1,335 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $220 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $70,991 in Fresno, down $5,329 (7%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 195 in Fresno, up 108 points (124%).
Fresno, CA
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 Fresno and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
13% cheaper
Fresno rent is 13% cheaper than Garland
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,641 in Garland, so Fresno is 13% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,640, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Fresno still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Garland.
Planning to buy in Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Garland's median income is 8% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Garland
Winner$76,320
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Garland (about $5,329 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
55% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 55% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% 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. Fresno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Fresno and Garland are about even on typical weather.
Fresno
74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Garland
66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Garland sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Fresno
Fresno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 13% cheaper here at about $1,421 a month. Choose Fresno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Garland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($76,320). Start with Garland if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than Fresno (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 40/100 in Fresno. Rent is $1,641/month in Garland and $1,421/month in Fresno, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Garland still pays more locally ($76,320 median income vs $70,991), which can offset the lease if your field pays Garland rates.
Median income is $76,320 in Garland versus $70,991 in Fresno.
Garland is ahead on safety (64/100 vs 40/100); Fresno is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,421/month rent plus $70,991 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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