Grand Rapids MI vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
33.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 147,546 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 6.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 37.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 7.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $56,782 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $32,004 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,405 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 19.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 32.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $326,132 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 44.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1752 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 66.8°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 48.0 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Savannah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA