Charlotte, NC vs Grand Rapids, MI
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Charlotte
68.1
#1344 nationally
Grand Rapids
73.4
#738 nationally
Grand Rapids leads in walk score (52 vs 26). Charlotte leads in median household income ($71,659 vs $54,789). Grand Rapids leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 27.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Grand Rapids, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.1 (#1344) | 73.4 (#738) |
| Population | 897,720 | 201,013 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,231 | $311,699 |
| Median Household Income | $71,659 | $54,789 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 52 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate |
| School Rating | 6.5 | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 91 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+5.4 |
D+
68.1 Score
Charlotte, NC
Banking capital of the South
Median Home
$397,231
Population
897,720
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Charlotte, NC →
C
73.4 Score
Grand Rapids, MI
Beer City USA with West Michigan charm
Median Home
$311,699
Population
201,013
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Grand Rapids, MI →
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