Grand Rapids, MI vs Madison, WI
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.
Grand Rapids
73.4
#738 nationally
Madison
73.1
#790 nationally
Madison leads in median household income ($76,184 vs $54,789). Madison leads in school rating (8.2 vs 6.8). Grand Rapids leads in cost of living index (91 vs 109).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.4 (#738) | 73.1 (#790) |
| Population | 201,013 | 269,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $311,699 | $432,061 |
| Median Household Income | $54,789 | $76,184 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 20.1 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 109 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.4 | D+51.7 |
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 →
C
73.1 Score
Madison, WI
Education excellence on the isthmus
Median Home
$432,061
Population
269,840
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A-
Midwest
View Madison, WI →
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