Grand Rapids MI vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 149,827 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 1.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 14.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 0.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 2.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $43,238 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $26,868 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $46,995 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 9.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 26.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 28.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 48.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1808 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 46.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 18.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 64.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 54.1 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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