Grand Rapids MI vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 11.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 17.9% | 14.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 9.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $52,606 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $332,727 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 53.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 55.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 45.2 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.5 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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