Grand Rapids MI vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 84,389 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.8 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 61.0% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 17.9% | 2.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 27.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $657,911 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 53.2°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 39.1 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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