Median rent is 0% lower in Kentwood ($1,260/mo vs $1,266/mo). Buying is cheaper in Grand Rapids, where the median home runs $244,500 versus $268,200. Households earn more in Kentwood ($74,373 vs $69,108 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (95.0).
City A
Grand Rapids, MI
City B
Kentwood, MI
How much would you need to earn in Kentwood, MI to maintain your standard of living from Grand Rapids, MI?
Equivalent salary in Kentwood, MI
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Grand Rapids
Michigan
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,266/mo in Grand Rapids and $1,260/mo in Kentwood. Median home values are within 9% of each other: $244,500 in Grand Rapids and $268,200 in Kentwood.
Metric
Grand Rapids
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.
Grand Rapids
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Kentwood
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Grand Rapids (avg AQI 52.0) but not yet for Kentwood.
Pick Kentwood if you prioritize higher median household income ($74,373/yr).
Grand Rapids is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.0 versus 95.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Grand Rapids.
Median rent is $1,266/mo in Grand Rapids, MI and $1,260/mo in Kentwood, MI. Kentwood, MI has the lower rent by about 0%.
Median household income is $69,108 in Grand Rapids, MI and $74,373 in Kentwood, MI. Kentwood, MI 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 Grand Rapids, MI is equivalent to roughly $100,000 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
