Grand Rapids MI vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 25.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 10.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $51,211 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $32,314 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 22.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 28.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 46.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 42.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 60.9°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 54.9 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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