Grand Prairie TX vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.6 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 6.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 24.6% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 5.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $55,279 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 45.4% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Louis, 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. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.8% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Louis, 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. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
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