Grand Rapids MI vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 61.0% | 49.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 11.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 27.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $426,069 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2417 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 67.4°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.7 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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