Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Memphis, TN
🏆 Grand Rapids leads 12 of 22 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2
Median Household Income
$61,634 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
198,096
Memphis
Tennessee
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,090
Violent Crime Index
658⚠ High
Population
630,027 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
64% less violent crime than Memphis
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (5.6%)
Households earn $13,544 more per year on average
More college-educated — 39.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 92°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
Snowy winters — about 75" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Memphis
Memphis, TN
Pros
Homes cost $64k less ($139,600 vs $203,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 31°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Rent averages $88/mo less ($1,050 vs $1,138)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Grand Rapids
Cons
Violent crime (2501.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Grand Rapids by $13,544/yr
Property crime (6899.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Median Income
$13,544
$61,634 vs $48,090/yr
Grand Rapids
Violent Crime
64% lower
910.1 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Grand Rapids
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.6% unemployment
Memphis
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 95.2 (100 = US avg)
Memphis
Median Home Value
$64k less
$139,600 vs $203,900
Memphis
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 | $139,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 | $1,050 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 ✓ Higher | $48,090 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 21.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High ✓ Safer | 658⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 329⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% ✓ Higher | 87.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 50.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 54.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 2.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 | 630,027 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 46.6% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Memphis's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Memphis is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Grand Rapids leads 12 of 22 categories. Grand Rapids wins 12 and Memphis wins 10. 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 Memphis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $139,600 median home), income ($61,634 vs $48,090), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Memphis, TN are about 590 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.