City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Houston is cheaper. Median rent is $1,361 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Houston and Garland split most clearly. Garland scores 183 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,361 in Houston and $1,641 in Garland.
This is a genuine split. Houston 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Houston at $1,361 average has pockets that run $1,161 and others at $1,761: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Houston and Garland are 230 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $280 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $76,320 in Garland, up $11,507 (18%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 87 in Garland, down 183 points (68%).
The move
Garland and Houston are 230 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,361 a month in Houston, down $280 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $64,813 in Houston, down $11,507 (15%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 270 in Houston, up 183 points (210%).
Houston, TX
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 Houston and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Houston rent is 17% cheaper than Garland
Houston
Winner$1,361/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,361 a month in Houston versus $1,641 in Garland, so Houston is 17% 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 $3,360, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Houston 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
18% higher
Garland's median income is 18% higher than Houston
Houston
$64,813
Garland
Winner$76,320
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $64,813 in Houston, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Garland (about $11,507 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Garland is the stronger labor market on paper. Houston can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
68% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 68% lower than Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 270 in Houston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 68% 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. Houston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Houston and Garland are about even on typical weather.
Houston
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Garland
66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Houston sits near 70°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 Houston
Houston is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,361 a month. Choose Houston 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 18% 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 68% lower than Houston (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Garland: Garland scores 64/100 versus 30/100 in Houston, with typical rent at $1,641 versus $1,361. I would vet the exact ZIP in Houston before trading 34 safety points for housing savings.
Garland still pays more locally ($76,320 median income vs $64,813), which can offset the lease if your field pays Garland rates.
Median income is $76,320 in Garland versus $64,813 in Houston.
Garland clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Houston deserves a serious look only when you already know the Houston block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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