Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Allen
55.7%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 11.3% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 10.6% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.9% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $65,526 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $33,953 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 18.6% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 40.1% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 54.6% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 36.4% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.4% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 18.9% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.9% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.6% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.0% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 38.3 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Allen +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Allen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Allen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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