Grand Rapids MI vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 146,211 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 61.0% | 51.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 10.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $45,845 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $27,570 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 29.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 30.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 41.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 41.5 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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