Grand Prairie TX vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 149,519 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 41.6 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 6.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 24.6% | 4.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 2.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 19.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $422,520 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 32.8 min | Grand Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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