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
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood
Opportunity
41 · Bottom 21%
vs45 · Bottom 28%
Growth
34 · Bottom 25%
vs51 · Top 48%
Climate
61 · Bottom 29%
vs62 · Bottom 36%
Physical resilience
86 · Top 8%
vs93 · Top 2%
Housing affordability
95 · Top 48%
vs95 · Top 49%
Access
82 · Top 39%
vs98 · Top 8%
Economic stability
62 · Top 36%
vs88 · Top 5%
Measured values
| Metric | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,376,828 | 1,162,152 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $76,664 | $82,874 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $43,384 | $41,561 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,124/sq mi | 358/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $249,700 | $285,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,207 | $1,202 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.2% | 74.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.8% | -7.4% | July 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.8% | 36.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | 9.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 8,283 | 4,012 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 3.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -5.6% | 4.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 17°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 39.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 36 mi | 12 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.0 min | 23.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.3 | 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.
Your best match
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Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
66
Your Score
63
Area Score
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood
76
Your Score
70
Area Score
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Full profiles: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area · Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology