Grand Prairie TX vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Paterson
N/A
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 24.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $527,542 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Grand Prairie +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 28.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.4% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Paterson 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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