Birmingham, MI vs Grand Rapids, MI
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Birmingham
75.1
#499 nationally
Grand Rapids
73.4
#738 nationally
Birmingham leads in median household income ($151,556 vs $54,789). Grand Rapids leads in cost of living index (91 vs 146). Birmingham leads in walk score (60 vs 52).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, MI | Grand Rapids, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.1 (#499) | 73.4 (#738) |
| Population | 21,434 | 201,013 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $755,859 | $311,699 |
| Median Household Income | $151,556 | $54,789 |
| Average Commute | 20.7 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 1.5 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 146 | 91 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.6 | D+5.4 |
C
75.1 Score
Birmingham, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$755,859
Population
21,434
Crime
Low
Walk Score
60
Midwest
View Birmingham, MI →
C
73.4 Score
Grand Rapids, MI
Beer City USA with West Michigan charm
Median Home
$311,699
Population
201,013
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Grand Rapids, MI →
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