Grand Rapids MI vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Orem
10.5%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 86,973 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 17.9% | 1.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $33,579 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 25.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $509,396 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 52.5°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.5 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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