Grand Rapids MI vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 61.0% | 36.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 15.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $60,698 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 22.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 34.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 52.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 57.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 48.5 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.5 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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