Grand Rapids MI vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 9.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 17.9% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 8.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $64,731 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $52,606 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 33.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 43.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA