Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Lewiston

Maine

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI versus $1,070 in Lewiston, ME. Overall, Lewiston, ME is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $56,558 in Lewiston, ME — about 14% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Lewiston, ME

Rent

Studio
$992
$559
+44% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$749
+22% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$1,047
+13% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,209
+15% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$214,200
+5% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$56,558
+14% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$49,540
+4% in Lewiston, ME

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
37.8 yr
+5.7 yr in Lewiston, ME
Homeownership
54.6%
50.3%
+4.3 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
21.7%
+18.4 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
20.7 min
+1.3 min in Lewiston, ME

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
244.5
+73% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
1,616.5
+35% in Grand Rapids, MI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
49.1°F
45.8°F
+3.3°F in Grand Rapids, MI
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
51.1 in
+12.8 in in Lewiston, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Lewiston, ME

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
29.6
+29% in Lewiston, ME
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$31.62
+60% in Lewiston, ME

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.92
+16% in Lewiston, ME
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.90
+2% in Lewiston, ME
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.19
+4% in Lewiston, ME
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Lewiston, ME

Average prices — Midwest vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / ME)
6%
5.5%
+0.5 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
7.15%
+2.9 pp in ME

Grand Rapids vs Lewiston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Lewiston?
Lewiston, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Lewiston?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $30,000 in Lewiston.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Lewiston?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Lewiston under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).