Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Colorado Springs, CO
VS
Grand Rapids, MI
🏆 Colorado Springs leads 16 of 22 categories
Colorado Springs
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$79,026 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
479,612 ✓ Larger
Grand Rapids
Michigan
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,634
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Colorado Springs, CO
Pros
21% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Households earn $17,392 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $383,000
Violent crime (715.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,464/mo
Property crime (3448.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $179k less ($203,900 vs $383,000)
Rent averages $326/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,464)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Colorado Springs
Cons
Violent crime (910.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Colorado Springs by $17,392/yr
Property crime (2480.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 75" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Colorado Springs
Median Income
$17,392
$79,026 vs $61,634/yr
Colorado Springs
Violent Crime
21% lower
715.6 vs 910.1 per 100k
Colorado Springs
Summer Heat
4.1°F warmer
July avg high 86.5°F vs 82.4°F
Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$179k less
$203,900 vs $383,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Grand Rapids, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $383,000⚠ High | $203,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High | $1,138 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $79,026 ✓ Higher | $61,634 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 10.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 179⚠ High ✓ Safer | 191⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High ✓ Safer | 240⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 164⚠ High | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.1% ✓ Higher | 39.3% |
| High School or Higher | 94.3% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | Grand Rapids Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.0°F ✓ Warmer | 30.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer | 82.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.0" ✓ Drier | 39.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.2" ✓ Less | 74.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 479,612 ✓ Larger | 198,096 |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% ✓ Higher | 54.5% |
| Under 18 | 22.1% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado Springs's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Grand Rapids's 95.2 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Colorado Springs leads 16 of 22 categories. Colorado Springs wins 16 and Grand Rapids wins 6. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Colorado Springs to Grand Rapids or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($383,000 vs $203,900 median home), income ($79,026 vs $61,634), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Colorado Springs, CO and Grand Rapids, MI are about 1,034 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.