Grand Rapids MI vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Norman
7.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 128,714 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 7.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 17.9% | 5.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 9.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $65,060 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,929 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 52.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2375 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 60.2°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 38.9 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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