Cedar Hill vs Grand Prairie: which is better to live in?
Cedar Hill gets D+ overall and Grand Prairie gets D. Cedar Hill comes out ahead on our index, though keep in mind each is graded against Texas places of its own size.
Cedar Hill wins on schools, education levels, health and internet access. Grand Prairie wins on cost of living, jobs and income, safety, errands and things to do and getting around.
Cedar Hill is the better pick for remote workers.
Side by side
| Cedar Hill | Grand Prairie | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D+ | D |
| Population | 49,801 | 209,434 |
| Growth since 2020 | +1.3% | +6.8% |
| Median rent | $1,993 | $1,629 |
| Median home value | $302,700 | $295,500 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $2,102 | $2,030 |
| Median household income | $101,909 | $81,619 |
| Property tax per year | $5,347 | $4,954 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 155 | 202 |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,716 | 1,331 |
| Schools rated A or B | 31% | 40% |
| Average commute | 31 min | 28 min |
| Work from home | 17% | 13% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 36% | 30% |
| Median age | 35.7 years | 34.4 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 101 | 101 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | Moderate |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Cedar Hill | Grand Prairie | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | D+ (31) | C (48) |
| Jobs and income | C (42) | C+ (51) |
| Schools | C- (37) | D (22) |
| Safety | C+ (51) | B- (59) |
| Errands and things to do | D (18) | D (21) |
| Getting around | F (7) | F (8) |
| Education levels | C+ (52) | D (21) |
| Health | D+ (26) | D- (13) |
| Home ownership | B (65) | B- (62) |
| Internet access | B+ (79) | C+ (53) |
Cost of living
Grand Prairie is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Cedar Hill: a median of $1,993 a month, 22% higher than Grand Prairie's $1,629.
The median home is worth $302,700 in Cedar Hill and $295,500 in Grand Prairie. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $2,102 a month against $2,030, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.0 times income in Cedar Hill and 3.6 times in Grand Prairie.
Commute and location
Commutes average 31 minutes in Cedar Hill and 28 in Grand Prairie.
The two are about 6 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Cedar Hill has less violent crime. Cedar Hill reported 155 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Grand Prairie reported 202 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 31% of Cedar Hill's 13 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 40% of Grand Prairie's 57.
Common questions
Is Cedar Hill or Grand Prairie better to live in?
Cedar Hill grades higher overall (D+ vs D). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Cedar Hill cheaper than Grand Prairie?
No. Grand Prairie has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Cedar Hill or Grand Prairie?
Cedar Hill, 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.