Grand Rapids MI vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 94,723 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.9 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 17.9% | 0.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $672,082 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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