City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 343 in Kansas City, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 423, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Kansas City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,238 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Kansas City and Garland split most clearly. Garland scores 256 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,238 in Kansas City and $1,641 in Garland.
Garland is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Kansas City 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. Kansas City at $1,238 average has pockets that run $1,038 and others at $1,638: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Kansas City and Garland are 443 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,238 a month in Kansas City to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $403 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $69,166 in Kansas City to $76,320 in Garland, up $7,154 (10%).
The crime index goes from 343 in Kansas City to 87 in Garland, down 256 points (75%).
The move
Garland and Kansas City are 443 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,238 a month in Kansas City, down $403 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $69,166 in Kansas City, down $7,154 (9%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 343 in Kansas City, up 256 points (294%).
Kansas City, MO
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 Kansas City and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Kansas City rent is 25% cheaper than Garland
Kansas City
Winner$1,238/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,238 a month in Kansas City versus $1,641 in Garland, so Kansas City is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $403/month back in your pocket ($4,836/year). Over five years that's $24,180 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, Kansas City 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
10% higher
Garland's median income is 10% higher than Kansas City
Kansas City
$69,166
Garland
Winner$76,320
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $69,166 in Kansas City, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Garland (about $7,154 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
75% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 75% lower than Kansas City
Kansas City
343 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 343 in Kansas City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 75% 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. Kansas City 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 Kansas City
Kansas City
58°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 80/100
Garland
Winner66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Kansas City averages about 58°F (66°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Kansas City 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 Kansas City if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Kansas City
Kansas City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 25% cheaper here at about $1,238 a month. Choose Kansas City 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 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 10% 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 75% lower than Kansas City (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 23/100 in Kansas City. Rent is $1,641/month in Garland and $1,238/month in Kansas City, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Garland still pays more locally ($76,320 median income vs $69,166), which can offset the lease if your field pays Garland rates.
Weather averages land near 58°F in Kansas City and 66°F in Garland.
Between Kansas City and Garland, Garland is ahead on safety — 64/100 safety versus 23/100. Lean Kansas City instead when you already know the Kansas City block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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