Cost of Living: Garland, TX vs Huntsville, AL (2026)

Garland

Texas
96
VS

Huntsville

Alabama
78

Garland is 23% more expensive than Huntsville.

$1,525/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$1,078/mo ↓ 29%
$74,717/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$70,778/yr ↓ 5%
$248,900 ↓ 5%
Home Value
$263,100 ↑ 6%
$1,445/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,046/mo ↓ 28%
245,298
Population
218,814

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Garland, TX and Huntsville, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 96 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $447/month cheaper in Huntsville, saving renters about $5,364/year.

Median household income is $3,939/year higher in Garland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Garland is $248,900 compared to $263,100 in Huntsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Garland residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Garland vs Huntsville — common questions

Is Garland or Huntsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Huntsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 78 compared to 96 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Garland and Huntsville?
Median rent in Garland is $1,525/month and in Huntsville it's $1,078/month — a difference of $447/month.
Which city has higher income, Garland or Huntsville?
Median household income is $74,717 in Garland and $70,778 in Huntsville. Median household income is $3,939/year higher in Garland.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Alabama?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Garland or Huntsville?
It depends on your priorities. Garland has a cost index of 96 with median rent of $1,525/mo, while Huntsville has a cost index of 78 with rent of $1,078/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Garland details → View Huntsville details →

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