Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Westminster, CO
🏆 Westminster 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 ✓ Larger
Westminster
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,651 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
115,502
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $263k less ($203,900 vs $467,200)
Rent averages $594/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,732)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Westminster
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 91°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Westminster by $29,017/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 4.1%)
Westminster, CO
Pros
67% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Households earn $29,017 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $467,200
Higher rents — median is $1,732/mo
Property crime (3540.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Grand Rapids
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$263k less
$203,900 vs $467,200
Westminster
Median Income
$29,017
$90,651 vs $61,634/yr
Westminster
Violent Crime
67% lower
303.6 vs 910.1 per 100k
Westminster
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.6% unemployment
Westminster
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 91.1°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Westminster, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $467,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,732⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 | $90,651 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 26.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 15.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 80 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% | 42.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | Westminster Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 91.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 54.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 115,502 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Westminster's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Westminster leads 14 of 23 categories. Grand Rapids wins 9 and Westminster 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 Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $467,200 median home), income ($61,634 vs $90,651), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Westminster, CO are about 1,025 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.