Grand Rapids MI vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 156,309 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.0 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 8.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 17.9% | 1.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $575,076 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 51.4°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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