Grand Prairie TX vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 153,455 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.1 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 32.9% | 30.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Black | 24.6% | 1.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 16.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $2,144,024 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 43.8% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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