Grand Rapids MI vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 26,509 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 7.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 17.9% | 3.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 3.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $344,633 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1992 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Rochester
36.4%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.4% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.3 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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