Garland
Texas
Pop. 244,026
VS
Torrance
California
Pop. 145,454

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

70
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
50
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
Garland wins 3–2
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Garland wins 3–2 overall (70/100)
💰 Garland is more affordable
💼 Garland has lower unemployment
🛡️ Garland has fewer disasters

📋 Garland vs Torrance — The Verdict

Garland scores 70.2/100 compared to Torrance's 50.5/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Garland has a clear edge with home prices 76% lower. Garland has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 4.3%. For safety-conscious movers, Garland has a notably lower disaster history with 40 fewer declarations in 20 years. Garland may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Garland are 76% lower — a difference of $733,300 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Garland saves you $711/month — that's $8,532 per year.
💵
Households in Torrance earn $38,510 more per year (54% higher median income).
📊
Garland has a 1.2 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🌬️
Torrance has cleaner air with an AQI 31 points lower — particularly important for people with respiratory conditions.
🛡️
Garland has experienced 40 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Garland vs Torrance: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
0
Median Home Value
$229,000
$962,300
Median Rent /mo
$1,421
$2,132
Median Income
$71,044
$109,554
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Garland offers home prices 76% lower than Torrance, translating to $733,300 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Garland vs Torrance: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
50
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
5.5%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Garland having a slight edge at 4.3% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Garland vs Torrance: Weather & Climate
50
vs
40
Summer High
°F
7.6°F
Winter Low
°F
4.7°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
0.1"
Annual Snow
"
0.0"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Garland vs Torrance: Air Quality & Environment
90
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
36 Good
5 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Torrance wins on air quality with an AQI 31 points lower. For allergy sufferers, families with young children, or anyone with respiratory concerns, this difference is medically significant.
🌐 Garland vs Torrance: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Garland vs Torrance: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
14
54
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Moderate
Low
Garland has a markedly lower disaster history — 40 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Garland to Torrance: Common Questions

Is Garland or Torrance cheaper to live in?
Garland is more affordable overall. Home prices are $733,300 lower in Garland. Monthly rent is $1,421 in Garland vs $2,132 in Torrance.
Does Garland or Torrance have better weather?
Garland scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Garland or Torrance better for finding a job?
Garland currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Garland vs 5.5% in Torrance. Median household income is $71,044 in Garland and $109,554 in Torrance.
Which city is safer — Garland or Torrance?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Garland is safer. Garland has had 14 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 54 in Torrance. Garland scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Torrance.
Should I move from Garland to Torrance?
Based on our data, Garland scores 70.2/100 vs Torrance's 50.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Garland is more affordable, while Garland has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 18, 2026.