Grand Rapids MI vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.6 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 61.0% | 58.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $54,546 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $31,152 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 18.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 30.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $324,946 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 51.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2150 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 69.8°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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