Performance
Score Breakdown
Albuquerque
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Grand Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albuquerque's average rent is
26% lower than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,180 | $1,595 | -26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $425 | -6% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,950 | $2,570 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 12% higher 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 Albuquerque is estimated at
$47,196 vs $55,356 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $69,014 |
| Salary Needed | $47,196 | $55,356 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,615 idx | 66,360 idx |
| Household Income | $68,317 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 44.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque 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 | Albuquerque | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.60 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Grand Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Grand Rapids is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 555,119 | 200,117 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is approximately 9.2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable city.
Albuquerque boasts a mild, dry climate with around 310 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Public transportation (ABQ RIDE) operates on a permanent Zero Fares program, offering free bus services since January 2022.
The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including numerous museums and the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are about 12% cheaper than the typical U.S. city, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque is largely a car-dependent city, with a walkability score of 43, making many errands difficult without a vehicle.
Despite some decreases in violent crime, the overall crime rate in Albuquerque increased as of August 2024, and burglaries rose by 11% in 2024.
The city's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual decrease of -0.26% in 2026.
The average annual job growth rate for the Albuquerque MSA was modest at 0.72% in 2024.
Traffic congestion levels average 25.6% in 2025, leading to increased travel times.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The Grand Rapids metropolitan area's population grew by 0.4% in 2025, outpacing the statewide growth rate.
The average rent in Grand Rapids is $1,595 per month as of June 2026, which is 18% below the national average.
Grand Rapids' economy is projected to see employment growth between 1.0% and 1.6% in 2025.
The city's housing market is competitive, with homes selling in an average of 6 days as of May 2026.
Assisted living and nursing home care costs in Grand Rapids are below national averages, offering more affordable senior care options.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a crime rate of 33 per one thousand residents, which is higher than 95% of communities in Michigan.
The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Grand Rapids is 1 in 111, higher than the Michigan state average.
Property crime is prevalent, with a 1 in 40 chance of being a victim of theft, burglary, or vandalism.
The overall cost of living in Grand Rapids is slightly above the national average, primarily driven by higher housing costs.
Despite job growth, the number of jobs in the Greater Grand Rapids region has remained mostly flat at around 600,000 for the last three years.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Albuquerque
#36New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
65
Grand Rapids
#19Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,595
Avg Salary
$69,014
Cost Index
104
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Albuquerque and Grand Rapids.
Open Cost Calculator