Grand Prairie TX vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.8 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 32.9% | 16.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Black | 24.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 1.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 37.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $48,416 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $25,509 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 10.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 24.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 17.4% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $482,675 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 24.1% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 23.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.2% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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