Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Lowell, MA
🏆 Grand Rapids leads 13 of 22 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
Lowell
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $159k less ($203,900 vs $362,800)
Rent averages $328/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,466)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
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
Median income trails Lowell by $11,374/yr
Property crime (2480.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 75" of snow per year
Lowell, MA
Pros
41% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Households earn $11,374 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $362,800
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,466/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Grand Rapids
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$159k less
$203,900 vs $362,800
Lowell
Median Income
$11,374
$73,008 vs $61,634/yr
Lowell
Violent Crime
41% lower
532.5 vs 910.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lowell, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $362,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,466⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $73,008 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | 12.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% ✓ Higher | 28.3% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | Lowell |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 34.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 84.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 48.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 59.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 114,737 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 43.3% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% ✓ More | 11.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Lowell's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Grand Rapids leads 13 of 22 categories. Grand Rapids wins 13 and Lowell wins 9. 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 Lowell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $362,800 median home), income ($61,634 vs $73,008), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Lowell, MA are about 726 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.