Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
Grand Blanc
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grand Blanc is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
138% higher compared to Austin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Austin's average rent is
60% higher than Grand Blanc's.
| Metric | Austin | Grand Blanc | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,866 | $1,169 | +60% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $200 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $175 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,781 | $1,169 | +138% |
| Cost Index | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Austin | Grand Blanc |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,152 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $93,658 | $68,052 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Grand Blanc runs warmer on average — a 48.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Grand Blanc comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Grand Blanc sees 36.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Austin | Grand Blanc |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 48.50°F |
| Summer High | °F | 80.50°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 15.90°F |
| Rainfall | in | 31.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 36.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Austin has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Grand Blanc.
Austin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Austin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Austin | Grand Blanc |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 42 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
— approximately 127.7x the population of Grand Blanc.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Austin | Grand Blanc |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 7,924 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | % |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin's job market is robust, with 2.0% growth in 2025, ranking it as the best-performing among the 50 largest U.S. metros.
The unemployment rate in Austin is low, at 3.7% in January 2026, outperforming state and national averages.
Austin's violent crime rate in 2025 was 22% below the national average, contributing to a relatively safe urban environment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, renowned for its live music, diverse dining, and extensive outdoor recreational opportunities.
Texas has no state income tax, allowing residents to retain more of their earnings.
Drawbacks
Despite recent dips, housing costs in Austin remain a significant expense, with average rent at $1,866/month in June 2026.
The overall crime rate in Austin is 23% below the national average, but it is 75% higher than the U.S. average and 44% higher than Texas according to 2024 FBI figures.
Austin exhibits high car dependency, with 56% of commuters driving alone in 2024, indicating challenges in public transit and walkability for some areas.
Some key industries, such as information and manufacturing, experienced job declines in 2025.
The average cost of a doctor's visit without insurance in Austin is relatively high at $175.
Grand Blanc
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Blanc is notably lower than the national average.
Grand Blanc has an exceptional livability score of 81 out of 100.
Crime rates in Grand Blanc are significantly lower than the national average.
The public schools in Grand Blanc are highly rated.
The median household income in Grand Blanc was $68,052 in 2024, indicating a healthy local economy.
Drawbacks
The average commute time in Grand Blanc is 42 minutes, which is longer than the national average.
Public transportation options in Grand Blanc may be limited, leading to car dependency.
The population of Grand Blanc city has been declining at a rate of -0.57% annually since 2020.
While overall safety is high, residents desire improved crime prevention efforts and police visibility.
The median property value in Grand Blanc, while affordable, is lower than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Austin
#8Texas, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,866
Avg Salary
$74,152
Cost Index
96
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
82
Business
85
Grand Blanc
#6Michigan, USA
81.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,169
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
42 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
81
Business
0
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