Grand Prairie TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.6 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 19.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 24.6% | 21.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 4.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 26.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $71,302 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $376,530 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 50.2% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Tampa
12.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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