Grand Rapids MI vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 36.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $51,888 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $29,679 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 23.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 26.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 41.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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