Grand Prairie TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.1 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 23.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 24.6% | 12.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 24.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $67,544 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $435,532 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 42.4% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.5% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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