Grand Prairie TX vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Rochester
33.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 8.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 24.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 20.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $46,628 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $30,451 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 26.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 37.2% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 38.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.6% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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