Chicago, IL 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.
Chicago
70.9
#1043 nationally
Grand Rapids
73.4
#738 nationally
Grand Rapids leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 34.1 min). Chicago leads in walk score (77 vs 52). Chicago leads in median household income ($71,673 vs $54,789).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Rapids, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.9 (#1043) | 73.4 (#738) |
| Population | 2,664,452 | 201,013 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $337,993 | $311,699 |
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $54,789 |
| Average Commute | 34.1 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 77 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 14.8 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 91 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+5.4 |
C-
70.9 Score
Chicago, IL
Major Illinois city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$337,993
Population
2,664,452
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
77
Midwest
View Chicago, IL →
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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