Grand Rapids MI vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 102,558 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.0 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 7.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 17.9% | 12.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $58,568 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $31,987 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 25.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 63.4°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA