Grand Rapids MI vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Warren
138,128
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Warren
60.8%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Warren
20.9%
Warren +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 138,128 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.9 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 61.0% | 60.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 20.9% | Warren + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 2.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Warren
$63,741
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Warren
$32,162
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Warren
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $63,741 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $32,162 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 20.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $200,632 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Warren
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Warren
1590
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 471 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1590 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Warren
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Warren
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Warren
18.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Warren
15.7%
Warren +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Warren
18.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 39.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Warren + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Warren, MI | 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
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Warren
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.9 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Warren is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Warren has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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