Grand Prairie TX vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 149,785 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.3 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 15.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 24.6% | 17.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 2.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 34.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 25.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 31.7 min | Grand Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. 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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