Grand Rapids MI vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Medford
N/A
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Medford
N/A
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 61.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Medford
$63,691
Medford +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Medford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Medford
$410,269
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $410,269 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Medford
355
Medford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Medford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Medford
33.0%
Medford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Medford
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Medford
13.6%
Medford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 33.0% | Medford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.6% | Medford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Medford
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 55.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 18.4 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Medford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Medford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Medford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Medford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Medford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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