Grand Rapids MI vs St. George UT — 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
St. George
7.4%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 99,184 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.9 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 17.9% | 0.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 12.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 34.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $456,900 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1931 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
St. George
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 63.9°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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