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Dallas County (small parts in Collin and Rockwall counties) · TX

Cost of Living in Garland, TX

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

The cost of living in Garland, TX depends on housing, property taxes, insurance, utilities and your commute. Garland stands out because the city owns its electric utility and belongs to DART. Live home prices appear on this page; the other costs are below.

What does housing cost in Garland?

Prices move month to month, so rely on the live market figures and listings on this page. Because many Garland homes are decades old, set aside a repair budget for roofs, sewer lines, windows and HVAC.

Newer subdivisions in north and south Garland may add HOA dues. Ask for the amount and what it covers before you make an offer.

How much are property taxes in Garland?

For a Dallas County home in Garland ISD, the 2025 rates for the county, hospital district, college district, city and school district add up to about $2.39 per $100 of taxable value before exemptions.

Homestead exemptions lower that bill, and the total differs if the address is in Richardson, Mesquite or Dallas ISD. The Garland property tax page lists every rate.

What should you budget for home insurance?

Hail and spring storms drive most roof claims in North Texas. Many policies carry a separate wind and hail deductible that may be a percentage of the insured value.

Ask each insurer to show the deductible in dollars, and ask about roof age and past claims during your option period.

Who provides utilities in Garland?

Garland Power & Light, a city-owned, not-for-profit utility, serves about 85% of residents. Where it serves the address, you do not shop for a retail plan. Outside its area, compare plans on Power to Choose.

The city handles water, sewer and sanitation. Trash is collected weekly and recycling every other week. Atmos Energy provides natural gas service in Garland.

What does getting around Garland cost?

The average commute is 29.7 minutes, according to the Census. I-30, I-635 and SH 78 are the main highways, and the President George Bush Turnpike is a toll road where ZipCash customers pay twice the TollTag rate.

Garland is a DART member city, and the Blue Line stops at Downtown Garland and Forest/Jupiter. Rail can replace some driving costs for trips into Dallas.

What are sales tax and income tax in Garland?

The combined sales tax rate in Garland is 8.25%, the Texas maximum: 6.25% for the state plus 2% local. Texas has no state income tax.

To see what fits, try the affordability calculator, compare areas on the Garland homes for sale page, or look into Texas down payment assistance.

Common questions

Who provides electricity in Garland, TX?

Garland Power & Light, the city-owned utility, serves about 85% of residents. Where GP&L serves the address, you do not choose a retail provider. Outside its territory, compare plans on Power to Choose.

What is the sales tax rate in Garland?

Garland's combined sales tax rate is 8.25%. That is the state rate of 6.25% plus 2% in local taxes, the maximum allowed in Texas.

What is the property tax rate in Garland?

For a Dallas County home in Garland ISD, the 2025 rates add up to about $2.39 per $100 of taxable value before exemptions. The total changes with the school district and any special district, so check the appraisal record for each address.

Does Garland have a state income tax?

No. Texas has no state income tax, so local costs lean on property and sales taxes.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Garland city, Texas (with Arlington, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Duncanville), U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Property Tax Exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Property Tax Protests and Appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Dallas Central Appraisal District (homestead filing, property search, uFILE protest), Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Choosing an Electric Plan, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Clear as MUD, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Don't Piddle Around with PID Notices, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Garland Power & Light: Home and About Us, City of Garland / Garland Power & Light (read 2026-09-24)
  9. New Resident Info, City of Garland (read 2026-09-24)
  10. School Choice & Magnet Application Guide, Garland Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Garland ISD home page, Garland Independent School District (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Garland, Texas, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Sanitation, City of Garland (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Texas School Report Cards, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Parks & Recreation, City of Garland (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Downtown Garland, City of Garland Downtown Development Office (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Firewheel Town Center, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Lake Ray Hubbard, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  19. 2025 Ad Valorem Tax Rates for Dallas County (revised November 5, 2025), Dallas Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Sales and Use Tax, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  21. City Sales and Use Tax Rates, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Texas is open for small business (Fiscal Notes), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Valuing Property (10 percent homestead appraisal limit), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  24. 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings Spreadsheet, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  25. A–F Accountability, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Health and Safety Code Chapter 757. Pool Yard Enclosures, Texas Legislature (read 2026-09-24)
  27. What to know about deductibles, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  28. North Texas Tollway Authority, North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Swimming Pool / Hot Tub / Spa, City of Garland Building Inspection (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Building Inspection, City of Garland (read 2026-09-24)
  31. 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (read 2026-09-24)
  32. HomeStyle Renovation mortgage, Fannie Mae (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.