CityCompare

Grand Rapids MI vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
37.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
50.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

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About Grand Rapids & West Palm Beach

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