Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 14% 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 $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 6% higher in Lincoln, NE. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio
$992
$851
+14% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$879
+9% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$1,070
+11% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,379
+3% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$248,200
+10% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$69,991
+7% in Lincoln, NE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$49,800
+5% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
33.4 yr
+1.3 yr in Lincoln, NE
Homeownership
54.6%
55.8%
+1.2 pp in Lincoln, NE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
41.0%
+0.9 pp in Lincoln, NE
Avg Commute
19.4 min
18.3 min
+1.1 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
363.1
+60% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
2,484.4
+1% 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
51.5°F
+2.4°F in Lincoln, NE
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
30.9 in
+7.4 in in Grand Rapids, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
13.3
+42% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$20.10
+2% in Lincoln, NE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / NE)
6%
5.5%
+0.5 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
4.55%
+0.3 pp in NE

Grand Rapids vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Lincoln?
Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% 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 Lincoln?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Lincoln?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% 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).