Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 197,768 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 36.7% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 46.8% | 17.9% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $309,801 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 38.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Cleveland +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cleveland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Cleveland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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