Garland vs Arlington: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Garland, TX and Arlington, VA, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricGarland, TXArlington, VA
Population244,026235,845
Median household income$71,044$137,387
Median home value$229,000$833,300
Median rent (/mo)$1,421$2,227

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Garland, TX and Arlington, VA comes down to what you value most. Garland has the lower median home value, and Garland has the lower median rent.

Arlington has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Garland or Arlington?
By median home value, Garland is the cheaper of the two ($229,000 vs $833,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Garland or Arlington?
Median household income is $71,044 in Garland versus $137,387 in Arlington, per the US Census Bureau.

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