Grand Rapids MI vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Spokane
2.9%
Tie
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 6.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 17.9% | 2.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.9% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 7.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 32.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $400,636 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Spokane 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 has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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