Grand Rapids MI vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 75,721 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.0 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 61.0% | 48.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 2.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 6.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $765,686 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 45.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 53.2°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 40.1 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.4 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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