Grand Prairie TX vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 44,998 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 57.8 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 17.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 24.6% | 5.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 4.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 24.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $71,979 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 13.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $503,393 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
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, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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