Grand Rapids MI vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 39.0 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 61.0% | 38.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 17.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 35.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $685,544 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
1736
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 37.5 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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