Grand Rapids MI vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Portland
11.1%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 68,505 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 11.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 17.9% | 9.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 3.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $561,069 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 46.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 47.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.4 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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