Grand Rapids MI vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 113,714 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 40.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 4.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 17.9% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 3.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 35.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 41.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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