Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 7.4% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.9% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $65,526 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $33,953 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 18.6% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 40.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 36.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.9% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 38.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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