Grand Prairie TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
12.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 176,666 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.7 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 12.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 24.6% | 1.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 23.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $71,900 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $438,754 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 55.7% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
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, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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