Grand Rapids MI vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 192,696 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 61.0% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 17.9% | 3.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 31.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $510,577 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 49.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 52.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 41.6 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Vancouver 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 Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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