Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Grand Prairie
33.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 198,564 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 57.6% | 32.9% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 24.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Grand Prairie
29.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $78,889 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $34,348 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 29.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $318,759 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 57.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Grand Prairie
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Grand Prairie
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Grand Prairie
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Grand Prairie
12.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 30.5 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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