Moving from Grand Prairie, TX to Allen, TX
It is a short 43 mi hop from Grand Prairie, TX to Allen, TX β roughly 49 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
43 mi Β· 49 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | PGBT, US 75, I 635 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Fort Worth, Irving, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Grand Prairie | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Grand Prairie -2.8%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Grand Prairie | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.1" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOE POOL LAKE, TX US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Grand Prairie | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $78,889 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.8% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.97 |
Allen households earn about 0.0% more than Grand Prairie at the median β $78,889 β $129,130 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Allen average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Allen compare to Grand Prairie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $48,440 in the Grand Prairie MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Grand Prairie vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $78,889 in Grand Prairie β a 63.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Grand Prairie to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 43 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Grand Prairie?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $316,527 in Grand Prairie β a 55.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Allen, TX from Grand Prairie, TX?
The driving distance is 43 mi and the route typically takes 49 min via PGBT and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Grand Prairie.
City profiles: Grand Prairie, TX Β· Allen, TX.