Garland vs Richardson: which is better to live in?
Garland gets B- overall and Richardson gets A-. Richardson comes out ahead on our index.
Garland wins on schools and home ownership. Richardson wins on jobs and income, safety, errands and things to do, getting around, education levels and health.
Richardson is the better pick for families, young professionals, retirees, remote workers and people on a budget.
Side by side
| Garland | Richardson | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | B- | A- |
| Population | 249,625 | 118,542 |
| Growth since 2020 | +1.4% | -0.8% |
| Median rent | $1,641 | $1,857 |
| Median home value | $270,800 | $431,400 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $1,838 | $2,902 |
| Median household income | $76,320 | $98,111 |
| Property tax per year | $4,263 | $6,482 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 191 | 138 |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,672 | 1,497 |
| Schools rated A or B | 69% | 71% |
| Average commute | 30 min | 24 min |
| Work from home | 12% | 25% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25% | 57% |
| Median age | 35.0 years | 33.9 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 93 | 93 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | Moderate |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Garland | Richardson | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | C+ (50) | C+ (52) |
| Jobs and income | C+ (50) | B (65) |
| Schools | B (65) | B- (60) |
| Safety | C+ (52) | B (66) |
| Errands and things to do | A (89) | A+ (99) |
| Getting around | D- (11) | B+ (74) |
| Education levels | D- (14) | B+ (79) |
| Health | D- (14) | B- (59) |
| Home ownership | B (67) | C+ (50) |
| Internet access | B+ (74) | B+ (74) |
Cost of living
Garland is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is lower in Garland: a median of $1,641 a month, 12% lower than Richardson's $1,857.
The median home is worth $270,800 in Garland and $431,400 in Richardson. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $1,838 a month against $2,902, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.5 times income in Garland and 4.4 times in Richardson.
Commute and location
Commutes average 30 minutes in Garland and 24 in Richardson.
The two are about 6 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Richardson has less violent crime. Garland reported 191 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Richardson reported 138 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 69% of Garland's 58 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 71% of Richardson's 24.
Common questions
Is Garland or Richardson better to live in?
Richardson grades higher overall (B- vs A-). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Garland cheaper than Richardson?
Yes. Garland has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Garland or Richardson?
Richardson, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.