Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grand Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% higher compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
20% higher than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Houston | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,500 | +20% |
| Groceries | $682 | $650 | +5% |
| Utilities | $253 | $235 | +8% |
| Transport | $348 | $150 | +132% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $152 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $2,687 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 52% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$69,000 vs $41,000 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Houston | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $49,334 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $41,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 51,931 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Houston.
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 | Houston | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 21.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 11.5x the population of Grand Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Houston 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 | Houston | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 201,357 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 0.09% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Houston
#49Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
Grand Rapids
#21Michigan, USA
72.0 / 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
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