Grand Rapids MI vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 61.0% | 53.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 12.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $435,807 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 51.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 61.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 46.2 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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