Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,050/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 $1,050 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Milwaukee, WI is roughly 13% 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 $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 21% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. 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
Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio
$992
$841
+15% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$849
+12% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$1,031
+15% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,193
+16% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$172,000
+24% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$51,888
+21% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$51,160
+8% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
32.2 yr
+0.1 yr in Milwaukee, WI
Homeownership
54.6%
41.5%
+13.1 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
26.6%
+13.5 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
22.4 min
+3.0 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
1,452.3
+60% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
2,506.2
2,772.2
+11% in Milwaukee, WI

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
47.9°F
+1.2°F in Grand Rapids, MI
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
34.8 in
+3.5 in in Grand Rapids, MI

Gas

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

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.25

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

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 Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% 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 Milwaukee?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Milwaukee?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Milwaukee 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).