Abilene TX vs Grand Prairie TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Grand Prairie
33.5
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 198,564 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 33.5 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 66.6% | 32.9% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 24.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $78,889 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $34,348 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.1% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 29.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $318,759 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Grand Prairie
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Grand Prairie
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Abilene +
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.8% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 22.3% | Abilene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 30.5 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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