Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Concord
54.7%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 11.3% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 22.1% | 17.9% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 2.9% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $65,526 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $33,953 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.0% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 18.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 40.1% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 54.6% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.4% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.9% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.6% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.0% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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