Grand Rapids MI vs San Francisco CA — 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 39.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 61.0% | 40.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 5.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 15.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $1,369,171 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 38.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 55.3°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 33.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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