Grand Rapids MI vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 135,983 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 61.0% | 36.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 17.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $26,955 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 11.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 20.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 12.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $397,983 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 63.3°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 41.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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