Grand Rapids MI vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 61.0% | 50.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 4.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 20.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $447,353 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 63.7°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 30.5 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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