Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Grand Prairie to Houston
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Grand Prairie has a higher median household income ($81,619) and median home value ($295,500) than Houston ($64,813 and $277,800), but also higher median gross rent ($1,629 vs $1,361). Both cities share the same derived one-way commute estimate of 30 minutes and a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month. Texas has no state individual income tax in the calculator’s simplified reference (0.00%), so tax does not differentiate the cities. The trade-off centers on Grand Prairie’s higher earnings and home values offsetting its higher housing costs, while Houston offers lower income and home values with relatively lower rent, all within identical commute and tax assumptions.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → Grand PrairieMoving from Grand Prairie to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$268/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$3,216/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
Equal time
Both cities average the same one-way commute duration.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTGRA → HOU
66/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$15,600after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $3,216 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Grand Prairie household income$81,619
Houston household income$64,813
Grand Prairie gross rent$1,629
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Grand Prairie | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 201,883 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $81,619 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,629 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $295,500 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 30 minutes in Grand Prairie and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
What each city wins
Grand Prairie
Median rent is 24% of median income.. Watch lower home values may reflect longer commutes or fewer amenities..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Grand Prairie and Houston?
Grand Prairie’s median gross rent is $1,629 per month, higher than Houston’s $1,361, while its median home value is $295,500 compared to Houston’s $277,800, reflecting differing affordability profiles despite similar commute times.
Does state income tax affect the cost comparison between these cities?
No, the calculator uses a simplified 0.00% state individual income-tax reference for both cities, as Texas has no state income tax, so this factor does not create a difference in the comparison.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.