Grand Rapids MI vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 71,455 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 4.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 17.9% | 6.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 5.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $55,429 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 21.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 49.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 21.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Johnson City, TN | 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
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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