Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 11.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 28.8% | 17.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 16.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $65,526 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $33,953 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 18.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
1590
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA