Performance
Score Breakdown
Bel Air South
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grand Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% higher compared to Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bel Air South's average rent is
46% higher than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,187 | $1,500 | +46% |
| Groceries | $400 | $650 | -38% |
| Utilities | $220 | $235 | -6% |
| Transport | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $152 | -1% |
| Monthly Total | $3,137 | $2,687 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bel Air South offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bel Air South delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bel Air South is estimated at
$65,000 vs $41,000 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $49,334 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $41,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,162 idx | 51,931 idx |
| Household Income | $123,653 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
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 | Bel Air South | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 16.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 21.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Bel Air South.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bel Air South has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,008 | 201,357 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.09% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Grand Rapids boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 0.2% in 2026.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.3 years, contributing to a dynamic and energetic community.
Grand Rapids was ranked among the best cities in the country for starting a career in May 2026, indicating a strong entrepreneurial and professional environment.
The presence of major healthcare institutions like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital ensures high-quality medical care and a significant number of facilities.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate compared to most communities in Michigan, with a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime.
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Grand Rapids are about 4.1% higher than the national average.
The city's unemployment rate, at 3.6% in April 2026, is slightly above the national average of 4.198%.
Despite efforts to improve, public transit options and walkability scores are not exceptionally high, suggesting a medium car dependency for residents.
The housing market is competitive, with homes selling quickly and median prices increasing by 3.4% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bel Air South
#50Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
Grand Rapids
#21Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$49,334
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Bel Air South and Grand Rapids.
Open Cost Calculator