Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/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 $1,420 in Madison, WI. Overall, Grand Rapids, MI is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 15% higher in Madison, WI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Madison, WI

Rent

Studio
$992
$1,018
+3% in Madison, WI
1 Bedroom
$964
$1,219
+26% in Madison, WI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$1,432
+19% in Madison, WI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,766
+24% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$346,900
+54% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$76,983
+17% in Madison, WI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$58,080
+22% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
31.8 yr
+0.3 yr in Grand Rapids, MI
Homeownership
54.6%
46.6%
+8.0 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
59.2%
+19.1 pp in Madison, WI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
19.4 min
about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
259.5
+71% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
1,884.5
+25% 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
46.5°F
+2.6°F in Grand Rapids, MI
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
34.5 in
+3.8 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
19.6
+15% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$18.17
+8% in Grand Rapids, MI

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 / WI)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
7.65%
+3.4 pp in WI

Grand Rapids vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Madison?
Grand Rapids, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,200 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Madison?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Madison?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).