Grand Prairie TX vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 91,535 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 42.9 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 23.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 24.6% | 4.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 16.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $865,610 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 28.8% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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