Grand Rapids MI vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 61.0% | 51.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 12.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 31.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 70.2°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 50.0 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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