Grand Rapids, MI vs Paramus, NJ
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
Paramus
67.9
#1371 nationally
Paramus leads in median household income ($136,824 vs $54,789). Grand Rapids leads in cost of living index (91 vs 173). Grand Rapids leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 31 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Paramus, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.4 (#738) | 67.9 (#1371) |
| Population | 201,013 | 26,282 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $311,699 | $1,086,056 |
| Median Household Income | $54,789 | $136,824 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 31 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 37 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 0.8 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.4 | D+3.4 |
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 →
D+
67.9 Score
Paramus, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,086,056
Population
26,282
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
37
Northeast
View Paramus, NJ →
Try a different matchup
Swap Grand Rapids for: