Grand Prairie TX vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.0 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 32.9% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 24.6% | 5.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 29.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $1,006,261 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 47.6% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Prairie, TX vs New York, NYGrand Prairie, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Prairie, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Houston, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Phoenix, AZGrand Prairie, TX vs Philadelphia, PA