Grand Rapids MI vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.8 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 61.0% | 16.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $48,416 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $25,509 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 10.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 24.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 17.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $482,675 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 24.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 23.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 54.9°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 46.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 35.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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