Grand Prairie TX vs Laredo 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 32.9% | 37.6% | Laredo + |
| Black | 24.6% | 0.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 0.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Laredo
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $63,264 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $24,584 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 20.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 21.5% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Laredo
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Laredo
2339
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Laredo, 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 +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Laredo
13.1%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 35.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Laredo
20.2 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 74.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Laredo, 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
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Laredo 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 Laredo 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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