Baltimore MD 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)

Baltimore, MD

Maryland · Population: 577,193

  • Median HH Income$59,623
  • Median Home Price$191,668
  • Unemployment6.6%
  • Bachelor's+35.4%

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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
198,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Grand Prairie +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
29.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
2339

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Grand Prairie
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Grand Prairie
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +

Which City is Right for You?

Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Baltimore & Grand Prairie