Grand Rapids MI vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 105,460 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.6 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 5.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 17.9% | 1.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 7.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 24.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $414,734 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.4 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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