2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Grand Rapids, MI vs Ithaca, NY

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Ithaca, is 26% less than it is in Grand Rapids and is 68% below the National Average.
- Grand Rapids unemployment rate is 6.3%.
- Ithaca unemployment rate is 4.5%.
 Grand Rapids, MIIthaca, NYUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock2.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth35.8%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes6.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock6.2%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$29,060  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$40,973$69,021
 Family Median Income$70,070  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Grand Rapids, MIIthaca, NYUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock23.2%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K4.8%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock11.6%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K9.0%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock9.4%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K8.8%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock6.3%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K14.1%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock8.8%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K4.1%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock7.1%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Grand Rapids, MIIthaca, NYUnited States
 Management, business, finance14.2%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock13.9%6.5%
 Community, social services2.2%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.5%1.2%
 Education, library5.4%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock4.7%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.1%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.7%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.3%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock11.1%5.4%
 Building maintenance3.5%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.4%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support19.9%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.4%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair5.3%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock3.1%13.1%
Reviews for Grand Rapids    62 Reviews

I've lived in Grand Rapids about 85% of my life and can confidently say it is a great place to live for anyone. I know countless people who dogged the city, moved  More

   |    Reply

Grand Rapids proper - the small city - is fairly OK. Nothing special stands out about it when judged against the nicer areas of the US, but it has some decent dining and  More

   |    Reply

Wow. “bland Rapids and everyone is Smug, uptight and part of the Christian Reformed Church. “ Someone is accurately describing Grand Rapids in 1985. Much has changed  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Grand Rapids

Reviews for Ithaca    32 Reviews

BILL · 

For a small city, its downtown has grown significantly and serves as the hub of the community. The Ithaca Commons remains the central gathering space for locals,  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Great place to live. Lots to do, vibrant culture, and beautiful scenery. Don't fear the winter--it's even beautiful then. Only complaint is the housing market. Way  More

   |    Reply

I was born, raised, educated there (Ithaca High and Cornell). In my opinion, before leaving to pursue my career, it seemed like the most beautiful, clean, low crime,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ithaca


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.