Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 197,768 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 72.7% | 61.0% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 2.9% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 16.1% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $65,526 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $33,953 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.0% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 18.6% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 40.1% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 54.6% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 471 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.4% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.9% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.0% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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