Grand Rapids MI vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 61.0% | 59.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 10.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 13.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 33.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $496,966 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 37.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 53.5°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 39.2 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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