Grand Prairie TX vs Phoenix AZ — 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%

Phoenix, AZ

Arizona · Population: 1,624,832

  • Median HH Income$77,041
  • Median Home Price$411,323
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+32.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Phoenix
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
57.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +

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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Grand Prairie & Phoenix