Grand Rapids MI vs Hialeah FL — 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 45.9 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 61.0% | 32.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 1.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 0.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $53,079 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $25,766 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.5% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 21.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $444,086 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 19.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 34.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 76.0°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 70.4 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.7 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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