Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Grand Rapids and Milwaukee have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Michigan salaries · Wisconsin salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Grand Rapids has a housing index of 78 while Milwaukee sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Grand Rapids costs $240,000 compared to $175,000 in Milwaukee, a difference of $65,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Grand Rapids versus $1,100 in Milwaukee.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Grand Rapids scores 96 while Milwaukee scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Grand Rapids (98) are lower than Milwaukee (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Grand Rapids is $49,982 compared to $44,044 in Milwaukee. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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