Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 82.8% | 61.0% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $65,526 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $33,953 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.0% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 18.6% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 40.1% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 54.6% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 471 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 36.4% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.4% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.9% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.9% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.0% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while 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 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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