Grand Rapids MI vs Westland 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Westland
9.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 84,155 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.2 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 9.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 17.9% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Westland
$58,052
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $62,216 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $33,816 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,052 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 21.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Westland
471
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Westland
1590
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westland, 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%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westland, 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
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westland, 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 +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.0 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland 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 Westland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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