Signals
Vernal
Grand Rapids
Growth
81 · Top 5%
vs77 · Top 9%
Climate
53 · Bottom 6%
vs45 · Bottom 1%
Physical resilience
74 · Top 23%
vs82 · Top 13%
Housing affordability
88 · Bottom 33%
vs97 · Top 42%
Access
54 · Bottom 15%
vs46 · Bottom 10%
Economic stability
57 · Top 42%
vs33 · Bottom 24%
Measured values
| Metric | Vernal | Grand Rapids | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,056 | 45,275 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,746 | $68,603 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $31,623 | $37,533 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 8/sq mi | 17/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $298,600 | $225,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $941 | $988 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.5% | 83.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.8% | 25.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 12.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 158 | 297 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.3 | 6.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 51.9% | 167.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 91°F | 77°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 10°F | -5°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 8.6" | 31.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 74 mi | 80 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.6 min | 25.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 33.2 | 46.9 | 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
Vernal
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake.
Grand Rapids
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Your best match
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Vernal
68
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Area Score
Grand Rapids
63
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Vernal, UT Micro Area · Grand Rapids, MN Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology