Grand Rapids MI vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 8.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 43.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 10.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $62,671 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 18.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $374,265 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 43.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 58.9°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 43.6 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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