Grand Rapids MI vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 7.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 46.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $60,583 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,714 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 54.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 660 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2507 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 40.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 62.7°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 50.0 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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