Grand Prairie TX vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 7.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 24.6% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 9.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $64,017 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 45.7% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 39.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.7% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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