Grand Prairie TX vs Houston TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.3 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 32.9% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 24.6% | 22.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 44.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $62,894 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 42.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Houston, 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
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 38.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 24.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.6% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Houston, 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
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Houston 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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