Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Shreveport

Louisiana

$990/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 $990 in Shreveport, LA. Overall, Shreveport, LA is roughly 18% 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 $48,465 in Shreveport, LA — about 26% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Shreveport, LA

Rent

Studio
$992
$756
+24% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$843
+13% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$978
+19% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,136
+20% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$178,100
+21% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$48,465
+26% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$44,820
+6% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
37.5 yr
+5.4 yr in Shreveport, LA
Homeownership
54.6%
53.8%
+0.8 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
27.5%
+12.6 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
19.0 min
+0.4 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
1,235.4
+36% in Shreveport, LA
Property Crime
2,506.2
4,048.2
+62% in Shreveport, LA

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
65.5°F
+16.4°F in Shreveport, LA
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
51.0 in
+12.7 in in Shreveport, LA

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
13.5
+41% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$16.62
+16% in Grand Rapids, MI

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 Shreveport, LA
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 / LA)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
3.00%
+1.3 pp in MI

Grand Rapids vs Shreveport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Shreveport?
Shreveport, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% 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 Shreveport?
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 Shreveport.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Shreveport?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Shreveport under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% 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).