Grand Rapids MI vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 135,806 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 61.0% | 49.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $708,498 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 52.3°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 53.2 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 30.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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