Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Garland, TX
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Garland leads 12 of 21 categories
Garland
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,044 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
61
Population
244,026 ✓ Larger
Worcester
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Garland, TX
Pros
Homes cost $77k less ($229,000 vs $305,600)
Violent crime is well below the national average (232.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 32°F
Households earn $8,033 more per year on average
Cons
Longer commutes — 29.7 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $1,421/mo
Worcester, MA
Pros
93% less violent crime than Garland
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 94°F
Rent averages $109/mo less ($1,312 vs $1,421)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Median income trails Garland by $8,033/yr
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.2%)
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Garland
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Garland
Median Income
$8,033
$71,044 vs $63,011/yr
Garland
Median Home Value
$77k less
$229,000 vs $305,600
Garland
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.6% unemployment
Garland
Summer Heat
14.5°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Violent Crime
93% lower
16.5 vs 232.7 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Garland, TX | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $229,000 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,421⚠ High | $1,312 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,044 ✓ Higher | $63,011 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.7 min⚠ High | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.4% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 75 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 61 | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 95 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.1% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.6% | 85.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | GARLAND ISD | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 244,026 ✓ Larger | 204,191 |
| Median Age | 34.4 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.0% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 25.8% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Garland's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Garland is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Garland leads 12 of 21 categories. Garland wins 12 and Worcester wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Garland to Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($229,000 vs $305,600 median home), income ($71,044 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Garland, TX and Worcester, MA are about 1,498 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.