Grand Rapids MI vs Irving 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Irving
32.8
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Irving
12.9%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.8 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 61.0% | 36.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 12.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $344,888 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 38.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Irving
442
Irving +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Irving
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 20.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.0% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Irving +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Irving
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Irving + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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