Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Garland to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has a higher median household income ($81,332 vs $76,320) and lower median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,641), resulting in a more favorable rent-to-income ratio. However, Garland has a significantly lower median home value ($270,800 vs $420,700), making homeownership more accessible there. Phoenix benefits from a shorter average commute (28 vs 32 minutes) and includes a modeled state income tax of 2.50% in its calculator, while Garland’s profile excludes state tax due to lack of approved reference. These trade-offs reflect differing affordability profiles: Phoenix favors renters with higher income and lower rent, Garland favors buyers seeking lower entry costs.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → GarlandMoving from Garland to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$59/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$708/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
-4 min / day
Difference of ~33 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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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 → PHX
64/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$10,292after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $708 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Garland gross rent$1,641
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Garland | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 246,844 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $76,320 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,641 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $270,800 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 32 minutes in Garland and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Median home value
- 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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city offers better rental affordability based on income and rent?
Phoenix shows better rental affordability with a median gross rent of $1,582 and higher median income of $81,332, compared to Garland’s $1,641 rent and $76,320 income, resulting in a lower rent burden relative to earnings.
How does homeownership accessibility compare between the two cities?
Garland offers greater homeownership accessibility with a median owner-occupied home value of $270,800, substantially lower than Phoenix’s $420,700, making entry-level buying more attainable despite Garland’s lower income.
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.