Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Grand Prairie
198,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 198,564 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 44.0% | 32.9% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 24.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
29.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $78,889 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $34,348 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.1% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 29.0% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $318,759 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 57.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Grand Prairie
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Grand Prairie
2339
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
12.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.6% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 22.3% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Grand Prairie
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.5 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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