Grand Rapids MI vs North Las Vegas NV — 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 Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 186,178 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 39.0 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 61.0% | 43.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
North Las Vegas
$35,069
North Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $58,874 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $35,069 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 9.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 23.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $407,146 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 460 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2417 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 19.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 68.8°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.6 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 Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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