Grand Rapids MI vs Pasadena CA — 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 67,231 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 61.0% | 48.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 2.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 7.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $1,215,642 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 54.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 67.0°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.8 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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