City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Phoenix is cheaper. Median rent is $1,582 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Phoenix and Garland split most clearly. Garland scores 87 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,582 in Phoenix and $1,641 in Garland.
This is a genuine split. Phoenix wins on cost of living and the job market and Garland wins on 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 Phoenix has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Phoenix and Garland are 893 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $59 a month (4%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $76,320 in Garland, down $5,012 (6%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 87 in Garland, down 87 points (50%).
The move
Garland and Phoenix are 893 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, down $59 a month (4%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $81,332 in Phoenix, up $5,012 (7%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 174 in Phoenix, up 87 points (100%).
Phoenix, AZ
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 Phoenix and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
4% cheaper
Phoenix rent is 4% cheaper than Garland
Phoenix
Winner$1,582/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,582 a month in Phoenix versus $1,641 in Garland, so Phoenix is 4% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $59, or $708 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 Phoenix? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
Phoenix's median income is 7% higher than Garland
Phoenix
Winner$81,332
Garland
$76,320
Median household income is $81,332 in Phoenix versus $76,320 in Garland, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Phoenix (about $5,012 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
50% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 50% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% 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. Phoenix can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Phoenix and Garland are about even on typical weather.
Phoenix
76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Garland
66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Phoenix averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Phoenix sits near 76°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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Phoenix is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 4% cheaper here at about $1,582 a month. Choose Phoenix if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Phoenix is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% higher here ($81,332). Start with Phoenix if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 50% lower than Phoenix (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 43/100 in Phoenix, with typical rent at $1,641 versus $1,582. I would vet the exact ZIP in Phoenix before trading 21 safety points for housing savings.
With only $59 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,582 in Phoenix and $1,641 in Garland.
If safety drives your move, Garland is the stronger match (64/100 safety versus 43/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Phoenix, treat $1,582/month rent and $81,332 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Phoenix and Garland, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
