Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Memphis?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Memphis?

Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Grand Rapids vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 22% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$992

$877

+12% in Grand Rapids, MI

1 Bedroom

$964

$948

+2% in Grand Rapids, MI

2 Bedroom

$1,206

$1,073

+11% in Grand Rapids, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,281

+10% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$225,500

$157,100

+30% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income

$65,526

$51,211

+22% in Grand Rapids, MI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,570

$46,890

+1% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.1 yr

34.3 yr

+2.2 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

54.6%

46.0%

+8.6 pp in Grand Rapids, MI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

40.1%

28.2%

+11.9 pp in Grand Rapids, MI

Avg Commute

19.4 min

21.3 min

+1.9 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

910.1

2,507.6

+176% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

2,506.2

6,966.3

+178% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+14.0°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

38.3 in

53.7 in

+15.4 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.0

14.1

+39% in Grand Rapids, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$19.75

+0% in Memphis, TN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Grand Rapids, MI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Memphis, TN

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Grand Rapids, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Grand Rapids, MI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Grand Rapids, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / TN)

+1.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

None

+4.3 pp in MI

Grand Rapids vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Memphis?: Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).