Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Lee's Summit, MO
🏆 Lee's Summit leads 18 of 23 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2
Median Household Income
$61,634
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096 ✓ Larger
Lee's Summit
Missouri
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$103,447 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
101,728
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $88k less ($203,900 vs $291,400)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Rent averages $157/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,295)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 88°F
Cons
Median income trails Lee's Summit by $41,813/yr
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 3.8%)
Lee's Summit, MO
Pros
84% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Households earn $41,813 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (149.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 48.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$88k less
$203,900 vs $291,400
Lee's Summit
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 95.2 (100 = US avg)
Lee's Summit
Median Income
$41,813
$103,447 vs $61,634/yr
Lee's Summit
Violent Crime
84% lower
149.4 vs 910.1 per 100k
Lee's Summit
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.6% unemployment
Lee's Summit
Summer Heat
5.9°F warmer
July avg high 88.3°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lee's Summit, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $291,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,295 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $103,447 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 26.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 16.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 67 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A (118) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% | 48.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 97.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | LEE'S SUMMIT R-VII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 39.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 43.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 8.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 101,728 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% | 75.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 15.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Lee's Summit's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Lee's Summit is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lee's Summit leads 18 of 23 categories. Grand Rapids wins 5 and Lee's Summit wins 18. 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 Lee's Summit or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $291,400 median home), income ($61,634 vs $103,447), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Lee's Summit, MO are about 534 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.