Grand Island NE vs Vancouver WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Grand Island, NE

Nebraska · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$254,245
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Vancouver, WA

Washington · Population: 192,696

  • Median HH Income$78,156
  • Median Home Price$510,577
  • Unemployment5.6%
  • Bachelor's+31.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
31.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
49.9%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Vancouver
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Vancouver
41.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Vancouver
25.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Vancouver. Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Grand Island & Vancouver