Grand Prairie TX vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 161,993 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 32.9% | 21.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Black | 24.6% | 1.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 5.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $28,813 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 15.5% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $751,711 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 47.0% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Salinas
12.9%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 22.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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