Grand Prairie TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.4 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 9.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 24.6% | 18.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 8.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $427,121 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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