Grand Prairie TX vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 71,542 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.9 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 4.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 24.6% | 6.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 1.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 7.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $55,578 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $31,499 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 18.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 22.7% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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