Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 South Fulton leads 12 of 23 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,634
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096 ✓ Larger
South Fulton
Georgia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
107,865
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Rent averages $323/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,461)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.6%)
Homes cost $38k less ($203,900 vs $242,200)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 90°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than South Fulton
Cons
Violent crime (910.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails South Fulton by $15,854/yr
Property crime (2480.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 75" of snow per year
South Fulton, GA
Pros
48% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Households earn $15,854 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 31°F
Cons
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.6%)
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$38k less
$203,900 vs $242,200
Grand Rapids
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.8% unemployment
South Fulton
Median Income
$15,854
$77,488 vs $61,634/yr
South Fulton
Violent Crime
48% lower
470.5 vs 910.1 per 100k
South Fulton
Summer Heat
7.7°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $242,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% ✓ Higher | 39.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 54.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 107,865 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, South Fulton leads 12 of 23 categories. Grand Rapids wins 11 and South Fulton wins 12. 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 South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $242,200 median home), income ($61,634 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and South Fulton, GA are about 647 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.