Median rent is 13% lower in Kentwood ($1,260/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kentwood, where the median home runs $268,200 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $74,373 a year). Taken together, Kentwood is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 102.5 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Kentwood, MI.
Cost of living verdict
Kentwood is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 95.0 in Kentwood vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Kentwood, MI
How much would you need to earn in Kentwood, MI to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Kentwood, MI
$69,503
You could earn $5,497 less (7% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Kentwood
Michigan
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Kentwood at $1,260/mo compared to $1,440/mo in Chicago (13% gap). Median home values are within 20% of each other: $334,100 in Chicago and $268,200 in Kentwood.
Metric
Chicago
Kentwood
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Kentwood
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Kentwood.
Pick Kentwood if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 95.0 vs 102.5).
Pick Kentwood if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,260/mo median).
Kentwood is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Kentwood.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,260/mo in Kentwood, MI. Kentwood, MI has the lower rent by about 13%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $74,373 in Kentwood, MI. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $92,671 in Kentwood, MI (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
