Grand Rapids MI vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 61.0% | 35.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $62,894 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 19.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 36.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 42.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 38.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 24.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 48.7 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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