Grand Rapids MI vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 190,214 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.9 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 61.0% | 40.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 13.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 20.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 34.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $429,449 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.4 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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