Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Raleigh, NC
🏆 Raleigh leads 14 of 23 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
Raleigh
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,631 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
465,517 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $143k less ($203,900 vs $347,000)
Rent averages $233/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,371)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 91°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Raleigh
Cons
Violent crime (910.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Raleigh by $16,997/yr
Property crime (2480.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.5%)
Raleigh, NC
Pros
46% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Households earn $16,997 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.5%)
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $347,000
Violent crime (488.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,371/mo
Property crime (2819.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$143k less
$203,900 vs $347,000
Raleigh
Median Income
$16,997
$78,631 vs $61,634/yr
Raleigh
Violent Crime
46% lower
488.8 vs 910.1 per 100k
Raleigh
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.5% vs 5.6% unemployment
Raleigh
Summer Heat
8.2°F warmer
July avg high 90.6°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $347,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,371⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $78,631 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 23.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 20.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 134⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | 15.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | Wake County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 90.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 49.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 4.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 | 465,517 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 51.1% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Raleigh's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Raleigh leads 14 of 23 categories. Grand Rapids wins 9 and Raleigh wins 14. 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 Raleigh or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $347,000 median home), income ($61,634 vs $78,631), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Raleigh, NC are about 618 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.