Grand Prairie TX vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.3 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 12.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 24.6% | 10.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 13.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $496,966 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 56.5% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 37.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 31.1 min | Grand Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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