Grand Prairie TX vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.2 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 11.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 24.6% | 4.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 2.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 26.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $78,779 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $435,670 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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