Performance
Score Breakdown
Airdrie
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Airdrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Grand Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Airdrie's average rent is
31% lower than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Airdrie | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,095 | $1,595 | -31% |
| Groceries | $365 | $425 | -14% |
| Utilities | $219 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $182 | $120 | +52% |
| Healthcare | $109 | $250 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $1,970 | $2,570 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grand Rapids offers 46% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Airdrie is estimated at
$58,400 vs $55,356 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Airdrie | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,938 | $69,014 |
| Salary Needed | $58,400 | $55,356 |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Airdrie | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Airdrie.
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 | Airdrie | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Airdrie.
From a growth perspective, Airdrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Airdrie | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,544 | 200,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.34% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 11.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Airdrie
Advantages
Airdrie has a high population growth rate of 4.34% year-over-year, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income in Airdrie is $80,300 USD, which is higher than the national average.
The average commute time is relatively short at 25 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance for many residents.
Airdrie offers a diverse job market with prominent opportunities in retail, healthcare, construction, and logistics.
The city has a young population with an average age of 34.8, fostering a vibrant and energetic community.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Airdrie is 11.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is a challenge, with median home prices requiring an income significantly above the city's median household income.
Rental costs in Airdrie are notably high, often exceeding those in the larger Calgary metropolitan area.
The city has a high car dependency, with limited public transit options, potentially leading to higher transportation costs.
Airdrie lacks a major acute care hospital, requiring residents to travel to Calgary for specialized medical services.
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.
Airdrie
#4Alberta, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,095
Avg Salary
$36,938
Cost Index
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.34%
Unemployment
11.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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