Median rent is 21% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,266/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Louis, where the median home runs $197,500 versus $244,500. Households earn more in Grand Rapids ($69,108 vs $56,160 a year). Taken together, St. Louis is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.0 against 95.0 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Grand Rapids, MI.
City A
Grand Rapids, MI
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Grand Rapids, MI?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$74,998
You could earn $2 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Grand Rapids
Michigan
St. Louis
Missouri
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in St. Louis — median rent of $997/mo versus $1,266/mo in Grand Rapids, a 21% difference. Median home values are within 19% of each other: $244,500 in Grand Rapids and $197,500 in St. Louis.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
St. Louis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Grand Rapids if you prioritize higher median household income ($69,108/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cheaper rent ($997/mo median).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Is Grand Rapids cheaper than St. Louis?
St. Louis 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 St. Louis.
How much is rent in Grand Rapids vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,266/mo in Grand Rapids, MI and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Grand Rapids or St. Louis?
Median household income is $69,108 in Grand Rapids, MI and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. Grand Rapids, MI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
St. Louis, MO has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Grand Rapids or St. Louis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Grand Rapids income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Grand Rapids, MI is equivalent to roughly $99,998 in St. Louis, MO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
