City Comparison

Grand Prairie vs Memphis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Grand Prairie

Texas
100
Average
$300,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$81,300
Median Income

Memphis

Tennessee
84
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$41,228
Median Income

The Verdict

19.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.0%, with Memphis being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Grand Prairie has equivalent purchasing power to $63,000 in Memphis.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
89
Grand Prairie
63
Memphis
Groceries
99
Grand Prairie
93
Memphis
Utilities
111
Grand Prairie
88
Memphis
Transportation
91
Grand Prairie
98
Memphis
Healthcare
103
Grand Prairie
92
Memphis

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Grand Prairie has the same purchasing power as $63,000 in Memphis.

Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $89,286 in Grand Prairie.

Living in Grand Prairie vs Memphis

Housing Costs

Grand Prairie's housing index of 89 is higher Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $300,000 vs $155,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Grand Prairie compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Grand Prairie and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Grand Prairie vs $442/month in Memphis. Memphis offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Grand Prairie and 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Grand Prairie vs $352 in Memphis. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Grand Prairie and 92 in Memphis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $81,300 in Grand Prairie and $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $81,300 and $49,081 respectively. Grand Prairie residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,897/month to housing in Grand Prairie vs $962/month in Memphis. In Grand Prairie, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Memphis is 19.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Grand Prairie has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,000 in Memphis, based on the cost of living difference.
Grand Prairie's housing index is 89 with median homes at $300,000, while Memphis's is 63 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases