Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Montgomery, AL. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 15% 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 $55,687 in Montgomery, AL — about 15% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Montgomery, AL

Rent

Studio
$992
$864
+13% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$831
+14% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$982
+19% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,172
+18% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$148,500
+34% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$55,687
+15% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$44,950
+6% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
36.2 yr
+4.1 yr in Montgomery, AL
Homeownership
54.6%
54.3%
+0.3 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
33.5%
+6.6 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
20.5 min
+1.1 min in Montgomery, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
605.5
+33% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
2,258.3
+10% 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
65.1°F
+16.0°F in Montgomery, AL
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
53.1 in
+14.8 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.62/gal
+6% in Grand Rapids, MI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
16.4
+29% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$24.06
+22% in Montgomery, AL

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 Montgomery, AL
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
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / AL)
6%
4%
+2.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
5.00%
+0.8 pp in AL

Grand Rapids vs Montgomery — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Montgomery?
Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% 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 Montgomery?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $33,000 in Montgomery.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Montgomery?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).