Grand Rapids MI vs Kansas City MO — 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 8.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 57.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 12.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 37.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 38.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 54.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 38.9 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.4 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA