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Cost of Living · Michigan

Grand Rapids Cost of Living

Grand Rapids, Michigan costs approximately 7.0% below the US national average. Compare with 99 other major US cities.

0.93×
cost-of-living index (1.00 = US national average)
Grand Rapids ranks 1 of 2 cities in Michigan by cost of living.
Cities MORE expensive than Grand Rapids (73)
San Francisco, CA
+55.9% more expensive
Oakland, CA
+45.2% more expensive
New York City, NY
+41.9% more expensive
Honolulu, HI
+39.8% more expensive
Irvine, CA
+39.8% more expensive
Los Angeles, CA
+31.2% more expensive
Boston, MA
+31.2% more expensive
San Diego, CA
+30.1% more expensive
Yonkers, NY
+29.0% more expensive
Anchorage, AK
+29.0% more expensive
Seattle, WA
+26.9% more expensive
Long Beach, CA
+26.9% more expensive
Anaheim, CA
+26.9% more expensive
Scottsdale, AZ
+26.9% more expensive
Chula Vista, CA
+23.7% more expensive
Miami, FL
+20.4% more expensive
Portland, OR
+18.3% more expensive
Newark, NJ
+18.3% more expensive
Sacramento, CA
+18.3% more expensive
Riverside, CA
+18.3% more expensive
Denver, CO
+16.1% more expensive
Chicago, IL
+12.9% more expensive
Austin, TX
+12.9% more expensive
Baltimore, MD
+12.9% more expensive
Stockton, CA
+12.9% more expensive
Aurora, CO
+12.9% more expensive
Hialeah, FL
+12.9% more expensive
Frisco, TX
+12.9% more expensive
Las Vegas, NV
+11.8% more expensive
Minneapolis, MN
+11.8% more expensive
Plano, TX
+11.8% more expensive
Chandler, AZ
+11.8% more expensive
Phoenix, AZ
+9.7% more expensive
Philadelphia, PA
+9.7% more expensive
Atlanta, GA
+9.7% more expensive
Tampa, FL
+9.7% more expensive
Henderson, NV
+9.7% more expensive
Reno, NV
+9.7% more expensive
Gilbert, AZ
+9.7% more expensive
Charleston, SC
+9.7% more expensive
Salt Lake City, UT
+9.7% more expensive
Orlando, FL
+8.6% more expensive
Wilmington, DE
+7.5% more expensive
Raleigh, NC
+7.5% more expensive
Virginia Beach, VA
+7.5% more expensive
St. Paul, MN
+7.5% more expensive
Chesapeake, VA
+7.5% more expensive
North Las Vegas, NV
+7.5% more expensive
Boise, ID
+7.5% more expensive
Fresno, CA
+7.5% more expensive
Worcester, MA
+7.5% more expensive
Dallas, TX
+6.5% more expensive
Nashville, TN
+6.5% more expensive
Colorado Springs, CO
+6.5% more expensive
Bakersfield, CA
+6.5% more expensive
St. Petersburg, FL
+6.5% more expensive
Madison, WI
+6.5% more expensive
Norfolk, VA
+5.4% more expensive
Jacksonville, FL
+4.3% more expensive
Charlotte, NC
+4.3% more expensive
Mesa, AZ
+4.3% more expensive
Houston, TX
+3.2% more expensive
Fort Worth, TX
+3.2% more expensive
Tucson, AZ
+3.2% more expensive
Glendale, AZ
+3.2% more expensive
Garland, TX
+3.2% more expensive
Spokane, WA
+3.2% more expensive
Pittsburgh, PA
+2.2% more expensive
Arlington, TX
+2.2% more expensive
Tallahassee, FL
+2.2% more expensive
Milwaukee, WI
+1.1% more expensive
Albuquerque, NM
+1.1% more expensive
New Orleans, LA
+1.1% more expensive
Cities CHEAPER than Grand Rapids (25)
Columbus, OH
−1.1% cheaper
Detroit, MI
−1.1% cheaper
Cincinnati, OH
−1.1% cheaper
Kansas City, MO
−1.1% cheaper
Lexington, KY
−1.1% cheaper
Corpus Christi, TX
−1.1% cheaper
Buffalo, NY
−1.1% cheaper
Greensboro, NC
−1.1% cheaper
Knoxville, TN
−1.1% cheaper
El Paso, TX
−2.2% cheaper
Cleveland, OH
−2.2% cheaper
St. Louis, MO
−2.2% cheaper
Winston-Salem, NC
−2.2% cheaper
Indianapolis, IN
−3.2% cheaper
Louisville, KY
−3.2% cheaper
Omaha, NE
−3.2% cheaper
Memphis, TN
−4.3% cheaper
Oklahoma City, OK
−4.3% cheaper
Lincoln, NE
−4.3% cheaper
Birmingham, AL
−5.4% cheaper
Toledo, OH
−5.4% cheaper
Lubbock, TX
−5.4% cheaper
Wichita, KS
−7.5% cheaper
Fort Wayne, IN
−7.5% cheaper
Mobile, AL
−7.5% cheaper

What living in Grand Rapids costs

Grand Rapids carries a cost index of 0.93x the national baseline, placing it above 25 of the 99 metros tracked and below 73. Rent runs about $1,050 monthly; the median home is near $290,000.

The price-to-rent ratio here is roughly 23, which is high. Above about 20, renting and investing the down payment usually beats buying over a normal holding period — the purchase price is steep relative to what the same property earns as a rental.

Working and living here

Grand Rapids is a metro of roughly 1.1M and growing steadily, running on furniture manufacturing, healthcare, advanced manufacturing. Larger employers include Spectrum Health/Corewell Health, Steelcase, Amway.

Two tax details that change take-home here: Grand Rapids levies a local income tax of about 1.50% on top of state and federal — roughly $1,500 a year on a $100,000 salary — and Michigan taxes income as well.

Getting around: Grand Rapids is served by limited transit. Budget for a car — around $9,000 a year all-in once insurance, fuel, maintenance and parking are counted, a cost the index assumes but does not itemise.

Climate: January highs near 30°F/lows near 18°F, heavy lake-effect snow; July highs near 83°F/lows near 62°F, humid.

City of Grand Rapids levies a 1.5% resident income tax (0.75% nonresident) on top of Michigan's flat state tax; known as a craft-beer hub with over 80 breweries in the metro.

Related tools

Paycheck calculator — take-home after federal, state and local tax. Salary calculator — pay by job and state. Compare against another metro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Grand Rapids expensive to live in?▾
Relative to the US average, no — the cost index is 0.93x, above 25 and below 73 of the 99 other metros tracked here. A one-bedroom averages $1,050 a month and the median home $290,000.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Grand Rapids?▾
A common rule keeps rent under 30% of gross income, which at $1,050 a month implies about $42,000 a year for a one-bedroom, before accounting for the 1.50% local income tax. That is a floor rather than a comfortable figure — it leaves nothing for savings or the car this metro effectively requires.