Grand Prairie TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.1 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 14.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 24.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 15.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $60,698 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 52.3% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 34.5 min | Grand Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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