Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Rochester

Minnesota

$1,290/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 $1,290 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Grand Rapids, MI is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 25% higher in Rochester, MN. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio
$992
$1,080
+9% in Rochester, MN
1 Bedroom
$964
$1,106
+15% in Rochester, MN
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$1,243
+3% in Rochester, MN
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,646
+16% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$287,500
+27% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$87,767
+34% in Rochester, MN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$60,620
+27% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
36.4 yr
+4.3 yr in Rochester, MN
Homeownership
54.6%
65.4%
+10.8 pp in Rochester, MN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
50.1%
+10.0 pp in Rochester, MN
Avg Commute
19.4 min
17.2 min
+2.2 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
158.9
+83% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
1,379
+45% 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
45.4°F
+3.7°F in Grand Rapids, MI
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
33.0 in
+5.3 in in Grand Rapids, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.96/gal
+3% in Rochester, MN

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
17.5
+24% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$14.79
+25% 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 / MN)
6%
6.875%
+0.9 pp in MN
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
9.85%
+5.6 pp in MN

Grand Rapids vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Rochester?
Grand Rapids, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,200 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Rochester, MN's $1,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Rochester?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Rochester?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).