Grand Prairie TX vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 39.3 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 32.9% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 24.6% | 9.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 16.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Plano
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $507,575 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 56.6% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Plano
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Plano
2339
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Plano
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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