Grand Rapids MI vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Overland Park
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 143,720 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.6 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 17.9% | 4.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 12.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $487,466 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 449 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2174 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.4 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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