CityCompare

Grand Rapids MI vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Salt Lake City
46.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Salt Lake City
1931

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.

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About Grand Rapids & Salt Lake City

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