Grand Rapids MI vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 91,535 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.9 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 61.0% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 17.9% | 4.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $865,610 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 28.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 20.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 65.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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