Grand Rapids MI vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 117,460 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 61.0% | 39.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 12.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $62,789 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $54,550 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 28.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $313,219 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 48.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.8 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, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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