Grand Rapids MI vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.6 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 48.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $57,673 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 37.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $419,326 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 63.8°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 58.4 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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