Arlington vs Grand Prairie: which is better to live in?
Arlington gets D overall and Grand Prairie gets D. They finish close to even on our index.
Arlington wins on schools, errands and things to do, getting around, education levels and health. Grand Prairie wins on cost of living, jobs and income, safety, home ownership and internet access.
Arlington is the better pick for young professionals and remote workers.
Side by side
| Arlington | Grand Prairie | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D | D |
| Population | 402,134 | 209,434 |
| Growth since 2020 | +2.0% | +6.8% |
| Median rent | $1,470 | $1,629 |
| Median home value | $304,700 | $295,500 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,061 | $2,030 |
| Median household income | $75,171 | $81,619 |
| Property tax per year | $4,716 | $4,954 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 406 | 202 |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,993 | 1,331 |
| Schools rated A or B | 48% | 40% |
| Average commute | 27 min | 28 min |
| Work from home | 13% | 13% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 33% | 30% |
| Median age | 33.7 years | 34.4 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 106 | 101 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | Moderate |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Arlington | Grand Prairie | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | C (46) | C (48) |
| Jobs and income | C- (38) | C+ (51) |
| Schools | C- (33) | D (22) |
| Safety | D (24) | B- (59) |
| Errands and things to do | B+ (74) | D (21) |
| Getting around | D (21) | F (8) |
| Education levels | D+ (31) | D (21) |
| Health | D- (15) | D- (13) |
| Home ownership | C- (36) | B- (62) |
| Internet access | C (47) | C+ (53) |
Cost of living
Overall costs are close between the two.
Rent is lower in Arlington: a median of $1,470 a month, 10% lower than Grand Prairie's $1,629.
The median home is worth $304,700 in Arlington and $295,500 in Grand Prairie. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,061 a month against $2,030, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 4.1 times income in Arlington and 3.6 times in Grand Prairie.
Commute and location
Commutes average 27 minutes in Arlington and 28 in Grand Prairie.
The two are about 6 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Grand Prairie has less violent crime. Arlington reported 406 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Grand Prairie reported 202 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 48% of Arlington's 95 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 40% of Grand Prairie's 57.
Common questions
Is Arlington or Grand Prairie better to live in?
They grade about the same overall (D vs D). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Arlington cheaper than Grand Prairie?
They cost about the same to live in.
Which is safer, Arlington or Grand Prairie?
Grand Prairie, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.