Grand Rapids MI vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 115,415 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.9 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 61.0% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 17.9% | 5.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 13.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 33.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $441,257 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 49.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Manchester
9.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 49.2°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 44.6 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.7 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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