Grand Rapids MI vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 43.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 17.9% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 9.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $331,500 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.8 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA