Grand Prairie TX vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 170,013 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.2 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 13.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 24.6% | 21.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 4.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 45.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $76,083 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $29,766 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 20.1% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $466,147 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 33.0 min | Grand Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Prairie, TX vs New York, NYGrand Prairie, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Prairie, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Houston, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Phoenix, AZGrand Prairie, TX vs Philadelphia, PA