Albany GA vs Grand Rapids MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Albany
18.9%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 18.9% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 76.3% | 17.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $309,801 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.6% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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