City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Garland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,641 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Garland is significant: $140,970 median household versus $76,320. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,641 in Garland.
This is a genuine split. San Francisco wins on the job market and Garland wins on cost of living 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. Garland at $1,641 average has pockets that run $1,441 and others at $2,041: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Francisco and Garland are 1,486 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,641 a month in Garland, down $835 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $76,320 in Garland, down $64,650 (46%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 87 in Garland, down 96 points (52%).
The move
Garland and San Francisco are 1,486 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $835 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $64,650 (85%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 183 in San Francisco, up 96 points (110%).
San Francisco, 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 San Francisco and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Garland rent is 34% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Garland
Winner$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,641 a month in Garland versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Garland is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $835/month back in your pocket ($10,020/year). Over five years that's $50,100 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 San Francisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Garland 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
85% higher
San Francisco's median income is 85% higher than Garland
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Garland
$76,320
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $76,320 in Garland, so typical pay runs 85% higher in San Francisco (about $64,650 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, San Francisco is the stronger labor market on paper. Garland can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
52% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 52% lower than San Francisco
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% 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. San Francisco can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Francisco and Garland are about even on typical weather.
San Francisco
65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Garland
66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°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
San Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 85% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco 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 clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 34% cheaper here at about $1,641 a month. Choose Garland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Garland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than San Francisco (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 42/100 in San Francisco. Rent is $1,641/month in Garland and $2,476/month in San Francisco, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Garland rent at $1,641/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,641 in Garland and $2,476 in San Francisco.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Garland; San Francisco only makes sense when you have walked the San Francisco ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $2,476 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Garland when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Garland, plus other cities in CA and TX.
