Grand Rapids MI vs Pembroke Pines FL — 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 170,557 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 43.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 61.0% | 43.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 21.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Pembroke Pines +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $39,881 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 38.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $488,550 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pembroke Pines, FL | 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
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA