Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Ann Arbor
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood
Opportunity
49 · Bottom 35%
vs45 · Bottom 28%
Growth
52 · Top 46%
vs51 · Top 48%
Climate
60 · Bottom 24%
vs62 · Bottom 36%
Physical resilience
96 · Top 1%
vs93 · Top 2%
Housing affordability
83 · Bottom 23%
vs95 · Top 49%
Access
90 · Top 25%
vs98 · Top 8%
Economic stability
66 · Top 32%
vs88 · Top 5%
Measured values
| Metric | Ann Arbor | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 369,822 | 1,162,152 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $89,180 | $82,874 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $52,714 | $41,561 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 524/sq mi | 358/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $374,100 | $285,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,463 | $1,202 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 61.6% | 74.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -7.1% | -7.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 58.7% | 36.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.2% | 9.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,550 | 4,012 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.2 | 3.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 24.3% | 4.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 15°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 29.8" | 39.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 25 mi | 12 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.4 min | 23.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.0 | 36.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Ann Arbor
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, tornado.
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Ann Arbor
71
Your Score
68
Area Score
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood
76
Your Score
70
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Ann Arbor, MI Metro Area · Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology