CostIndexUSA

Garland, TX vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Garland
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Garland — 18.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Garland, you would need $64,900 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing−63.7%
Garland
117.9
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries−8.9%
Garland
102.8
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−4.0%
Garland
104.7
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−4.0%
Garland
94.7
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−20.4%
Garland
90.7
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Garland to see what you'd need to earn in Monroe to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$64,900
$15,100 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.8109. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Garland, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Garland has 63.7% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Garland, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
246,018
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyRetailLogistics

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Garland, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Garland vs other cities

Garland, TX
vs
Abilene, TX
Index: 103.1Index: 90.4
Garland, TX
vs
Amarillo, TX
Index: 103.1Index: 91.8
Garland, TX
vs
Arlington, TX
Index: 103.1Index: 103.1
Garland, TX
vs
Norfolk, VA
Index: 103.1Index: 97.9
Garland, TX
vs
Winston-Salem, NC
Index: 103.1Index: 92

Monroe vs other cities

Monroe, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 90.8
Monroe, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 87.2
Monroe, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 85.9
Monroe, LA
vs
Charleston, WV
Index: 83.6Index: 88.7
Monroe, LA
vs
San Luis Obispo, CA
Index: 83.6Index: 108.6

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.