Grand Prairie TX vs Oceanside CA — 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
20.9%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 172,542 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.1 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 20.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 24.6% | 4.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 38.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $877,452 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 31.8 min | Grand Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, 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 503 in Oceanside. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Prairie, TX vs New York, NYGrand Prairie, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Prairie, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Houston, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Phoenix, AZGrand Prairie, TX vs Philadelphia, PA