Grand Rapids MI vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 186,419 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 61.0% | 60.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 7.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $468,328 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 71.3°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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