Grand Prairie TX vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
5.3%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 121,944 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.4 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 5.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 24.6% | 10.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 1.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 12.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $59,480 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $31,683 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 20.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.4% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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