Grand Rapids, MI vs Rutherford, 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
Rutherford
70.7
#1075 nationally
Rutherford leads in median household income ($128,576 vs $54,789). Grand Rapids leads in cost of living index (91 vs 146). Grand Rapids leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 33.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rutherford, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.4 (#738) | 70.7 (#1075) |
| Population | 201,013 | 18,852 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $311,699 | $767,911 |
| Median Household Income | $54,789 | $128,576 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 146 |
| 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 →
C-
70.7 Score
Rutherford, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$767,911
Population
18,852
Crime
Low
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Rutherford, NJ →
Try a different matchup
Swap Grand Rapids for: