City Comparison
Grand Rapids vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grand Rapids scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Grand Rapids
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grand Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
42% lower compared to Albuquerque.
Housing costs are a major driver: Grand Rapids's average rent is
27% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,178 | +27% |
| Groceries | $650 | $400 | +63% |
| Utilities | $235 | $195 | +21% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $152 | $2,723 | -94% |
| Monthly Total | $2,687 | $4,616 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 36% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Grand Rapids is estimated at
$41,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,334 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $41,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,931 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $69,108 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Grand Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Grand Rapids is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,357 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.09% | % |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Grand Rapids boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 0.2% in 2026.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.3 years, contributing to a dynamic and energetic community.
Grand Rapids was ranked among the best cities in the country for starting a career in May 2026, indicating a strong entrepreneurial and professional environment.
The presence of major healthcare institutions like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital ensures high-quality medical care and a significant number of facilities.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate compared to most communities in Michigan, with a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime.
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Grand Rapids are about 4.1% higher than the national average.
The city's unemployment rate, at 3.6% in April 2026, is slightly above the national average of 4.198%.
Despite efforts to improve, public transit options and walkability scores are not exceptionally high, suggesting a medium car dependency for residents.
The housing market is competitive, with homes selling quickly and median prices increasing by 3.4% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Grand Rapids
#60Michigan, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$49,334
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
70
Albuquerque
#132New Mexico, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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