Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Moines
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grand Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% higher compared to Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Des Moines's average rent is
53% lower than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Des Moines | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $744 | $1,595 | -53% |
| Groceries | $600 | $425 | +41% |
| Utilities | $150 | $180 | -17% |
| Transport | $800 | $120 | +567% |
| Healthcare | $500 | $250 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,794 | $2,570 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grand Rapids offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grand Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Des Moines is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,356 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Des Moines | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,311 | $69,014 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,356 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,034 idx | 66,360 idx |
| Household Income | $63,212 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Des Moines | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 64.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Des Moines | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 134.40 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Grand Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Des Moines | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 214,237 | 200,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $34.1B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Des Moines
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.
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
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
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