Grand Rapids MI vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 6.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 17.9% | 8.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $60,487 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 19.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 34.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 50.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Lubbock
17.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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