Grand Prairie TX vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 117,460 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.3 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 12.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 24.6% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 12.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $62,789 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 28.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 48.5% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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