Grand Prairie TX vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 118,578 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 5.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 24.6% | 14.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 1.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 8.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $63,900 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 46.8% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 42.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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