Grand Rapids MI vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 3.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 58.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 8.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $47,532 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $27,407 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 24.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 21.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 52.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1866 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 39.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 50.6°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Toledo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Toledo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Toledo
21.3 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.3 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Toledo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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