Colorado Springs 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 197,768 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 72.3% | 61.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 16.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $65,526 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $33,953 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 18.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 40.1% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 54.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, 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
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 49.1°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 38.3 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 Colorado Springs. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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