Grand Rapids MI vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 154,751 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 40.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $51,339 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $27,054 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 25.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 19.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 49.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 39.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 21.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.5% | 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
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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