| Index | Garland | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 102 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 103 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 103 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 105 | 98 | 100 |

The cost of living in Garland affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Garland is 102, which is 2% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Garland closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Garland can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 11 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Garland. The results indicated that 91% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 9% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Wondering if Garland is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Garland, for example, the median home price is 6.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 26% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Garland boasting a median household income of $95,929, which is 17.9% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Garland, the groceries index is 0.2% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Garland, the transportation index is 3% higher than the national average.
The Garland cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $116,056 | $9,671 | $2,708 | $3,482 |
| Renters | $66,401 | $5,533 | $1,549 | $1,992 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| St. Paul CDP, TX | 608 | 80 | 19.8% |
| St. Paul, TX | 1,407 | 80 | 19.7% |
| Mesquite CDP, TX | 647 | 81 | 18.9% |
| Cockrell Hill, TX | 4,306 | 92 | 7.9% |
| Balch Springs, TX | 25,952 | 92 | 8.0% |
| Garland, TX | 245,211 | 102 | 1.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Arlington, VA | 244,812 | 179 | 79.4% |
| Fremont, CA | 242,323 | 226 | 126.0% |
| Hialeah, FL | 241,985 | 116 | 16.1% |
| Irving, TX | 248,458 | 103 | 3.5% |
| Regina, SK | 241,465 | n/a | |
| Garland, TX | 245,211 | 102 | 1.8% |