City comparison
No. Garland's crime index is 87 versus 156 in Tucson, and its violent crime index is 62 versus 146, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tucson is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,641 in Garland.
Safety is where Tucson and Garland split most clearly. Garland scores 69 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,145 in Tucson and $1,641 in Garland.
This is a genuine split. Tucson 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. Tucson at $1,145 average has pockets that run $945 and others at $1,545: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Tucson and Garland are 833 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Tucson to $1,641 a month in Garland, up $496 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $57,073 in Tucson to $76,320 in Garland, up $19,247 (34%).
The crime index goes from 156 in Tucson to 87 in Garland, down 69 points (44%).
The move
Garland and Tucson are 833 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,641 a month in Garland to $1,145 a month in Tucson, down $496 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $76,320 in Garland to $57,073 in Tucson, down $19,247 (25%).
The crime index goes from 87 in Garland to 156 in Tucson, up 69 points (79%).
Tucson, 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 Tucson and Garland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Tucson rent is 30% cheaper than Garland
Tucson
Winner$1,145/mo
Garland
$1,641/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Tucson versus $1,641 in Garland, so Tucson is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $496/month back in your pocket ($5,952/year). Over five years that's $29,760 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, Tucson 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
34% higher
Garland's median income is 34% higher than Tucson
Tucson
$57,073
Garland
Winner$76,320
Median household income is $76,320 in Garland versus $57,073 in Tucson, so typical pay runs 34% higher in Garland (about $19,247 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. Tucson can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
44% lower crime
Garland's crime index is 44% lower than Tucson
Tucson
156 (100 = avg)
Garland
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Garland's crime index is 87 versus 156 in Tucson (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% 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. Tucson can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tucson and Garland are about even on typical weather.
Tucson
77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Garland
66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tucson averages about 77°F (84°F highs); Garland averages about 66°F (73°F highs). Tucson sits near 77°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 Tucson
Tucson is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 30% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Tucson 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 34% 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 44% lower than Tucson (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Garland leads on safety (64/100 vs 46/100 in Tucson). Typical rent is $1,641 in Garland and $1,145 in Tucson; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Garland still pays more locally ($76,320 median income vs $57,073), which can offset the lease if your field pays Garland rates.
Median income is $76,320 in Garland versus $57,073 in Tucson.
Garland is ahead on safety (64/100 vs 46/100); Tucson is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,145/month rent plus $57,073 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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