Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
198,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
33.5
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 198,564 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.5 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 41.9% | 32.9% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 24.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
29.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $78,889 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $34,348 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 29.0% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $318,759 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 57.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Grand Prairie
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Grand Prairie
2339
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Grand Prairie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.5% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 22.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 30.5 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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