Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Hollywood, FL
🏆 Grand Rapids leads 13 of 20 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,634
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096 ✓ Larger
Hollywood
Florida
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,958 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
152,764
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $141k less ($203,900 vs $345,300)
Rent averages $325/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,463)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Hollywood
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.6%)
More college-educated — 39.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
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
Snowy winters — about 75" of snow per year
Hollywood, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $345,300
Higher rents — median is $1,463/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Grand Rapids
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$141k less
$203,900 vs $345,300
Grand Rapids
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.1% unemployment
Hollywood
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Hollywood, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $345,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,463⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $61,958 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 30.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 8.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% ✓ Higher | 31.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% ✓ Higher | 88.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 76.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 65.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 152,764 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% | 56.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 19.3% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Hollywood's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Grand Rapids leads 13 of 20 categories. Grand Rapids wins 13 and Hollywood wins 7. 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 Hollywood or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $345,300 median home), income ($61,634 vs $61,958), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Hollywood, FL are about 1,210 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.