Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Garland to Houston
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Garland has a higher median household income ($76,320 vs $64,813) and lower median gross rent ($1,641 vs $1,361) than Houston, but a longer commute (32 vs 30 minutes). Both cities share the same uniform non-housing baseline ($1,250/month) and Texas state income tax treatment (0.00% in calculator). Garland’s income advantage may offset its higher rent, while Houston’s lower rent is paired with lower income and slightly shorter commute. No universal winner is declared, as trade-offs depend on individual priorities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → GarlandMoving from Garland to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$280/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$3,360/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
-2 min / day
Difference of ~17 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTGAR → HOU
68/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$15,744after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $3,360 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Garland household income$76,320
Houston household income$64,813
Garland gross rent$1,641
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Garland | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 246,844 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $76,320 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,641 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $270,800 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 32 minutes in Garland and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- State income tax treatment in model
What each city wins
Garland
Median rent consumes roughly 26% of median income.. Watch lower home values may reflect trade-offs in commute time or neighborhood amenities..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher earnings relative to housing costs?
Garland has a higher median income ($76,320) and higher median rent ($1,641) than Houston ($64,813 income, $1,361 rent). The income-to-rent ratio is more favorable in Garland, suggesting stronger earnings relative to housing cost burden.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
Garland’s derived one-way commute estimate is 32 minutes, while Houston’s is 30 minutes, based on weighted midpoints from 2024 ACS table B08303. The difference is minor, with Houston having a slightly shorter average commute.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.