Grand Rapids MI vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 9.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 17.9% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 4.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $64,137 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 19.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 51.8°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 39.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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