Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Topeka

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 22% 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 $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 15% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio
$992
$702
+29% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$758
+21% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$977
+19% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,177
+17% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$130,600
+42% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$55,902
+15% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$49,540
+4% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
38.2 yr
+6.1 yr in Topeka, KS
Homeownership
54.6%
59.2%
+4.6 pp in Topeka, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
29.1%
+11.0 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
16.7 min
+2.7 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
856.5
+6% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
3,660.2
+46% in Topeka, KS

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
55.1°F
+6.0°F in Topeka, KS
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
36.5 in
+1.8 in in Grand Rapids, MI

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
15.7
+32% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$25.12
+27% in Topeka, KS

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 / KS)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
5.58%
+1.3 pp in KS

Grand Rapids vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Topeka?
Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% 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 Topeka?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Topeka?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).