Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Grand Rapids leads 15 of 22 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,634 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
198,096
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
36% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Households earn $11,901 more per year on average
More college-educated — 39.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
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
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $46k less ($157,800 vs $203,900)
Rent averages $156/mo less ($982 vs $1,138)
Cons
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Grand Rapids by $11,901/yr
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Median Income
$11,901
$61,634 vs $49,733/yr
Grand Rapids
Violent Crime
36% lower
910.1 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 95.2 on the COL index
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$46k less
$157,800 vs $203,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 95.5 |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 | $157,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 | $982 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 22.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 9.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High ✓ Safer | 377⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% ✓ Higher | 26.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 82.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" | 33.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 39.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Grand Rapids leads 15 of 22 categories. Grand Rapids wins 15 and Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $157,800 median home), income ($61,634 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Milwaukee, WI are about 117 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.