2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Garland

Texas (TX)
Best for: Families seeking diverse neighborhoods, DFW jobs and comparatively attainable housing
Garland TX 2027 livability
Medium City
2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents
Modern Livability75.2/ 100
AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population249,625
Median Home$315,000
Median Rent$1,500
Median Household Income$76,000
Cost of Living~99.0 (US=100; 2024 city/metro estimate)
Average Commute29.0 min
Unemployment~3.8% metro (2026)
Metro AreaDallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

75.2overall
Housing & Financial Reality70.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living81.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability70.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity90.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness74.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place68.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion57.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape69.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging91.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment70.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture80.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity83.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate to high. Peak-hour congestion is common on major regional corridors, though local trips can still be manageable.
Weekend EscapeGood. There are useful parks and regional escapes, although outdoor access is less defining than in top nature-oriented cities.
WalkabilityAbout 40/100 citywide Walk Score. Selected districts are walkable, but many daily errands still require a car.
Airport AccessExcellent. DFW International and Dallas Love Field provide extensive domestic and international options.
Outdoor AccessGood. Local parks and regional recreation provide useful outdoor options, though nature is not the city’s primary identity.
Healthcare AccessStrong. Residents have practical access to hospitals, specialists and regional medical services.
Air QualityGenerally manageable, with summer ozone, heat, humidity, pollen and occasional smoke as the main seasonal concerns.
Third Places / Social LifeVery good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, community events and local districts provide regular gathering places.
EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable
WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Garland is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #93 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest livability advantages are housing value; diversity; dfw jobs; parks; regional access, while the clearest tradeoffs are traffic; car dependence; older commercial corridors; summer heat. The profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Garland feels established, diverse and practical, offering mature neighborhoods within the larger Dallas employment machine.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

Housing value; diversity; DFW jobs; parks; regional access.

TRADEOFFS

Where it falls short

Traffic; car dependence; older commercial corridors; summer heat.

ALL 2027 RANKINGS

Where Garland ranks