Grand Rapids MI vs Livonia MI — 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Livonia
8.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 94,058 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 45.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 8.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 17.9% | 4.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.7% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 4.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Livonia
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 40.5% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Livonia
$314,705
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $314,705 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Livonia
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Livonia
1590
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Livonia
16.8%
Livonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.8% | Livonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Livonia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.8 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Livonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Livonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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