Grand Rapids MI vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
New York
35.9%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.0 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 61.0% | 35.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $816,078 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 32.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
New York
1736
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 55.4°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 46.6 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 44.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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