Grand Rapids MI vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 114,303 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 61.0% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 17.9% | 1.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $62,800 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $26,755 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 22.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $486,127 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 39.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 21.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 53.4°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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