Grand Rapids MI vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 61.0% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 17.9% | 3.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Reno
5.0%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 35.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $570,934 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 49.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2417 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 53.0°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.3 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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