Grand Rapids MI vs Hartford CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 119,970 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 61.0% | 26.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $45,300 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $27,319 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 10.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 25.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 18.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 25.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 40.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 20.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 50.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 45.9 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.4 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA