City comparison
Yes. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 134 in Huntsville, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 127, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Garland and Huntsville split most clearly. Garland scores 47 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,641 in Garland and $1,171 in Huntsville.
Garland is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Huntsville makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Garland is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Garland and Huntsville are 590 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $470 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $1,606 (2%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 134 in Huntsville, up 47 points (54%).
The move
Huntsville and Garland are 590 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $470 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $76,320 in Garland, up $1,606 (2%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 87 in Garland, down 47 points (35%).
Garland, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Garland and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 29% cheaper than Garland
Garland
$1,641/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,641 in Garland, so Huntsville is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $470/month back in your pocket ($5,640/year). Over five years that's $28,200 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Garland, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Huntsville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
2% higher
Garland's median income is 2% higher than Huntsville
Garland
Winner$76,320
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Garland (about $1,606 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
35% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 35% lower than Huntsville
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
134 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 134 in Huntsville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% 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. Huntsville 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 Huntsville
Garland
Winner66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
58°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 80/100
Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs); Huntsville averages about 58°F (69°F highs). Garland sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. 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 Huntsville 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 2% higher ($76,320), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 66°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 35% lower than Huntsville (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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Huntsville
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Garland scores 64/100 versus 51/100 in Huntsville. Rent is $1,641/month in Garland and $1,171/month in Huntsville, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Garland still pays more locally ($76,320 median income vs $74,714), which can offset the lease if your field pays Garland rates.
Weather averages land near 66°F in Garland and 58°F in Huntsville.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Garland; Huntsville only makes sense when you have walked the Huntsville ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,171 rent.
Common questions
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