Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Green Bay, WI
🏆 Green Bay leads 16 of 23 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2
Median Household Income
$61,634 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096 ✓ Larger
Green Bay
Wisconsin
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,174
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
106,846
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
More college-educated — 39.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 31°F vs 25°F
Cons
Violent crime (910.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2480.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.1%)
Snowy winters — about 75" of snow per year
Green Bay, WI
Pros
46% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Rent averages $274/mo less ($864 vs $1,138)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.1%)
Homes cost $31k less ($172,700 vs $203,900)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
Smaller class sizes — 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Median Income
$2,460
$61,634 vs $59,174/yr
Green Bay
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 95.2 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Violent Crime
46% lower
495.1 vs 910.1 per 100k
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$31k less
$172,700 vs $203,900
Green Bay
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Green Bay, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 | $172,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 | $864 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 ✓ Higher | $59,174 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 7.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 62 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% ✓ Higher | 25.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% ✓ Higher | 88.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | Green Bay Area Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F ✓ Warmer | 24.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" | 32.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 55.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 106,846 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% | 56.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Green Bay's 92.1 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 16 of 23 categories. Grand Rapids wins 7 and Green Bay wins 16. 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 Grand Rapids to Green Bay or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $172,700 median home), income ($61,634 vs $59,174), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Green Bay, WI are about 159 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.