Grand Prairie TX vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 198,440 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.2 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 5.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 27.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Black | 24.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 4.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $55,687 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $32,068 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 20.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 54.3% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Montgomery
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 46.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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