Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Grand Rapids, MI
VS
Wilmington, NC
🏆 Wilmington leads 14 of 23 categories
Grand Rapids
Michigan
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,634 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
240⚠ High
Population
198,096 ✓ Larger
Wilmington
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.1
Median Household Income
$58,908
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
116,933
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Grand Rapids, MI
Pros
Homes cost $115k less ($203,900 vs $318,600)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 90°F
Rent averages $75/mo less ($1,138 vs $1,213)
Households earn $2,726 more per year on average
Cons
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
Wilmington, NC
Pros
47% less violent crime than Grand Rapids
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 31°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (4.9%)
More college-educated — 43.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $318,600
Violent crime (482.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3514.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Grand Rapids by $2,726/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Grand Rapids
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 95.2 vs 97.1 (100 = US avg)
Grand Rapids
Median Income
$2,726
$61,634 vs $58,908/yr
Grand Rapids
Median Home Value
$115k less
$203,900 vs $318,600
Wilmington
Violent Crime
47% lower
482.8 vs 910.1 per 100k
Wilmington
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
4.9% vs 5.6% unemployment
Wilmington
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 82.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.2 ✓ Cheaper | 97.1 |
| Median Home Value | $203,900 ✓ Lower | $318,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,138 ✓ Lower | $1,213 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,634 ✓ Higher | $58,908 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% | 14.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 191⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 240⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 167⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.3:1 | 15.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 39.3% | 43.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Grand Rapids Public Schools | New Hanover County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.5°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.4°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.6" ✓ Drier | 60.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 74.9" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 198,096 ✓ Larger | 116,933 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.5% ✓ Higher | 45.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 17.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Rapids's cost of living index is 95.2 vs Wilmington's 97.1 (US average = 100).
Grand Rapids is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wilmington leads 14 of 23 categories. Grand Rapids wins 9 and Wilmington 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 Wilmington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($203,900 vs $318,600 median home), income ($61,634 vs $58,908), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Grand Rapids, MI and Wilmington, NC are about 735 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.