Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood vs Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington
Which is the better fit for you?
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood and Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,162,152 | 3,713,668 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $82,874 | $99,833 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,561 | $52,840 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 358/sq mi | 527/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $285,300 | $374,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,202 | $1,440 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 74.6% | 70.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | 4.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -7.4% | -1.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.5% | 45.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 8.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 4,012 | 15,205 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.5 | 4.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 4.3% | 6.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 7°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 39.4" | 30.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 12 mi | 15 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.5 min | 25.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.8 | 38.0 | 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
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, hail.
Your best match
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Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI Metro Area · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology