Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 197,768 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 11.3% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 28.4% | 17.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.9% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.1% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $65,526 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $33,953 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 18.6% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 40.1% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.4% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.9% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 38.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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