Grand Rapids MI vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 176,666 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 61.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 17.9% | 1.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 31.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $438,754 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 41.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 53.0°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 39.7 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.5 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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