Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
32.1
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 197,768 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 61.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,526 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,953 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Grand Rapids
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Grand Rapids
1590
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 36.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 9.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.0% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 49.1°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Grand Rapids has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
Compare More Cities
Ann Arbor, MI vs New York, NYAnn Arbor, MI vs Los Angeles, CAAnn Arbor, MI vs Chicago, ILAnn Arbor, MI vs Houston, TXAnn Arbor, MI vs Phoenix, AZAnn Arbor, MI vs Philadelphia, PA