Grand Rapids MI vs Pompano Beach 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%
Pompano Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 112,212
- Median HH Income$63,832
- Median Home Price$353,345
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+31.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
112,212
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
41.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Pompano Beach
32.3%
Pompano Beach +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
48.0%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Pompano Beach
28.3%
Pompano Beach +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
1.9%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Pompano Beach
24.9%
Pompano Beach +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 112,212 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 41.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 32.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| White | 61.0% | 48.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 28.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 24.9% | Pompano Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
$63,832
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Pompano Beach
$39,377
Pompano Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Pompano Beach
$65,328
Pompano Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Pompano Beach
15.3%
Pompano Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
31.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $63,832 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $39,377 | Pompano Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Pompano Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 31.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
$353,345
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
53.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $353,345 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 53.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Pompano Beach
324
Pompano Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Pompano Beach
1453
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Pompano Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Pompano Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Pompano Beach
31.3%
Pompano Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Pompano Beach
17.2%
Pompano Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Pompano Beach
13.7%
Pompano Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
14.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 31.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.2% | Pompano Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.7% | Pompano Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
75.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
60.0 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 75.9°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 60.0 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Pompano Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Pompano Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Pompano Beach
75.0%
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pompano Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pompano Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Pompano Beach
29.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Pompano Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Pompano Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pompano Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.3%.
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