Grand Rapids MI vs St. Louis MO — 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.6 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 6.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 45.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 5.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $55,279 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 19.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 45.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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