Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
New Braunfels, TX
🏆 New Braunfels 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
New Braunfels
Texas
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$85,827 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
92,993
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $87k less ($203,900 vs $290,800)
Rent averages $288/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,426)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 93°F
Cons
Median income trails New Braunfels by $24,193/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%)
New Braunfels, TX
Pros
83% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Households earn $24,193 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (156.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (3.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 31°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.7)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,426/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$87k less
$203,900 vs $290,800
New Braunfels
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 93.7 vs 95.2 (100 = US avg)
New Braunfels
Median Income
$24,193
$85,827 vs $61,634/yr
New Braunfels
Violent Crime
83% lower
156.4 vs 910.1 per 100k
New Braunfels
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.6% unemployment
New Braunfels
Summer Heat
11.0°F warmer
July avg high 93.4°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Braunfels, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 | 93.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $290,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,426⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $85,827 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 26.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 61 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | 15.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% ✓ Higher | 38.0% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 91.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | COMAL ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 61.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 93.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" | 35.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 92,993 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs New Braunfels's 93.7 (US average = 100).
New Braunfels is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, New Braunfels leads 18 of 23 categories. Grand Rapids wins 5 and New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $290,800 median home), income ($61,634 vs $85,827), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and New Braunfels, TX are about 1,146 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.