Grand Rapids MI vs Pasadena TX — 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, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 125,983 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 61.0% | 45.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 39.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 32.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, TX | 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
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 36.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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