Grand Rapids MI vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 7.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 44.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $64,017 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 32.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $310,519 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 45.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 39.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 60.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 50.8 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.4 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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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