Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 197,768 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 11.3% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 6.7% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.9% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 16.1% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $65,526 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.6% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.0% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 38.3 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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