Grand Rapids MI vs Hillsboro OR — 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%

Hillsboro, OR

Oregon · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$522,671
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Hillsboro
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Hillsboro
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Hillsboro
N/A
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Hillsboro
N/A
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Hillsboro
N/A
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Hillsboro
N/A
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hillsboro
N/A
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Hillsboro
N/A
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Hillsboro
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Hillsboro
N/A
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Hillsboro
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Hillsboro
$63,691
Hillsboro +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Hillsboro
N/A
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Hillsboro
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Hillsboro
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Hillsboro
$522,671
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Hillsboro
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Hillsboro
355
Hillsboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Hillsboro
3001

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Hillsboro
32.9%
Hillsboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Hillsboro
9.1%
Hillsboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Hillsboro
17.4%
Hillsboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Hillsboro
9.5%
Hillsboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Hillsboro
15.4%
Hillsboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Hillsboro
10.4%
Hillsboro +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Hillsboro
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Hillsboro
39.9 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Hillsboro
9.0 µg/m³
Hillsboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Hillsboro
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Hillsboro
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

Grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Hillsboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Hillsboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hillsboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Grand Rapids & Hillsboro