Grand Rapids MI vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 49.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 11.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 17.9% | 2.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 9.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $858,307 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 72.5°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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