Grand Prairie TX vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
9.8%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 141,925 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 9.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 24.6% | 20.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 2.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 29.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $51,468 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $28,819 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 24.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 28.6% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 48.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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