Grand Rapids MI vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 9.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 17.9% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 8.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $427,121 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 36.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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