Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Manchester

New Hampshire

$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 Manchester, NH. Overall, Grand Rapids, MI is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 15% higher in Manchester, NH. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio
$992
$880
+11% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$1,150
+19% in Manchester, NH
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$1,593
+32% in Manchester, NH
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,661
+17% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$336,300
+49% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$77,415
+18% in Manchester, NH
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$56,530
+19% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
37.9 yr
+5.8 yr in Manchester, NH
Homeownership
54.6%
49.3%
+5.3 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
33.5%
+6.6 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
23.8 min
+4.4 min in Manchester, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
339.5
+63% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
1,691.4
+33% 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
49.2°F
+0.1°F in Manchester, NH
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
44.6 in
+6.3 in in Manchester, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Manchester, NH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
27.0
+17% in Manchester, NH
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$21.67
+10% in Manchester, NH

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 Manchester, NH
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.90
+2% in Manchester, NH
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.19
+4% in Manchester, NH
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Manchester, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / NH)
6%
None
+6.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
None
+4.3 pp in MI

Grand Rapids vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Manchester?
Grand Rapids, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,200 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Manchester, NH's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Manchester?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Manchester?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).