CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs Grand Rapids, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Grand Rapids is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 17.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $66,100 in Grand Rapids. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing55.5%
Fremont
194.7
Grand Rapids
86.6
🛒 Groceries13.6%
Fremont
108.5
Grand Rapids
93.7
🚗 Transportation6.3%
Fremont
111.5
Grand Rapids
104.5
🏥 Healthcare6.2%
Fremont
100.9
Grand Rapids
94.6
Utilities45.7%
Fremont
172.6
Grand Rapids
93.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fremont to see what you'd need to earn in Grand Rapids to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Grand Rapids, MI
$66,100
$13,900 less needed in Grand Rapids

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.8261. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Grand Rapids, MI

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
86.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1×

Fremont has 55.5% lower housing costs compared to Grand Rapids.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

Grand Rapids, MI

Median Household Income
$78,000
Per Capita Income
$44,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
198,917
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Grand Rapids, MI
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.