Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Quincy, MA
🏆 Quincy leads 13 of 22 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,634
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096 ✓ Larger
Quincy
Massachusetts
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,668 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $359k less ($203,900 vs $563,200)
Rent averages $763/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,901)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Quincy
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.6%)
Cons
Median income trails Quincy by $29,034/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
Snowy winters — about 75" of snow per year
Quincy, MA
Pros
63% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Households earn $29,034 more per year on average
More college-educated — 46.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 31°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $563,200
Higher rents — median is $1,901/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Grand Rapids
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
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
$359k less
$203,900 vs $563,200
Grand Rapids
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.7% unemployment
Quincy
Median Income
$29,034
$90,668 vs $61,634/yr
Quincy
Violent Crime
63% lower
335.1 vs 910.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Quincy, 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 | $563,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,901⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $90,668 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | 13.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% | 46.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 37.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 83.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 52.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 50.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 100,981 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 43.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 16.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Quincy's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Quincy leads 13 of 22 categories. Grand Rapids wins 9 and Quincy wins 13. 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 Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $563,200 median home), income ($61,634 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Quincy, MA are about 745 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.