Performance
Score Breakdown
Aberdeen
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Grand Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aberdeen's average rent is
32% lower than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,081 | $1,595 | -32% |
| Groceries | $400 | $425 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,031 | $2,570 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grand Rapids offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grand Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aberdeen is estimated at
$43,240 vs $55,356 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,742 | $69,014 |
| Salary Needed | $43,240 | $55,356 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,428 idx | 66,360 idx |
| Household Income | $64,405 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Grand Rapids is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,189 | 200,117 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 1.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly lower cost of living, estimated to be 6% below the U.S. national average in 2026.
The average commute time in Aberdeen is exceptionally short, at just 11.9 minutes as of 2024.
The violent crime rate is 72% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
Aberdeen has a high industry diversity of 98.7%, indicating strong economic stability.
Avera St. Luke's Hospital was recognized among America's 100 Best for Coronary Intervention in 2026, highlighting quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
Aberdeen's population is currently declining, with a projected annual rate of -0.37% in 2026.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 39 and limited public transit options.
Employment in Aberdeen declined by -2.54% from 2023 to 2024.
Winters in Aberdeen are described as freezing, snowy, and windy, with an average January low of 6°F.
Some healthcare facilities, like Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, declined to respond to Leapfrog Group on several patient safety and equity measures.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The Grand Rapids metropolitan area's population grew by 0.4% in 2025, outpacing the statewide growth rate.
The average rent in Grand Rapids is $1,595 per month as of June 2026, which is 18% below the national average.
Grand Rapids' economy is projected to see employment growth between 1.0% and 1.6% in 2025.
The city's housing market is competitive, with homes selling in an average of 6 days as of May 2026.
Assisted living and nursing home care costs in Grand Rapids are below national averages, offering more affordable senior care options.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a crime rate of 33 per one thousand residents, which is higher than 95% of communities in Michigan.
The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Grand Rapids is 1 in 111, higher than the Michigan state average.
Property crime is prevalent, with a 1 in 40 chance of being a victim of theft, burglary, or vandalism.
The overall cost of living in Grand Rapids is slightly above the national average, primarily driven by higher housing costs.
Despite job growth, the number of jobs in the Greater Grand Rapids region has remained mostly flat at around 600,000 for the last three years.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aberdeen
#8South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,081
Avg Salary
$57,742
Cost Index
94
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
75
Grand Rapids
#19Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,595
Avg Salary
$69,014
Cost Index
104
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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