Grand Rapids MI vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 61.0% | 58.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 12.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 19.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 34.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $435,532 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 42.4% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 48.1 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.3 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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