Grand Rapids MI vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 17.9% | 11.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 15.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1960 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 37.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 20.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 51.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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