CostIndexUSA

Glendale, CA vs Grand Rapids, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Glendale
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Grand Rapids is significantly cheaper than Glendale — 15.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Glendale, you would need $67,300 in Grand Rapids. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing49.2%
Glendale
170.4
Grand Rapids
86.6
🛒 Groceries12.1%
Glendale
106.6
Grand Rapids
93.7
🚗 Transportation4.7%
Glendale
109.6
Grand Rapids
104.5
🏥 Healthcare4.5%
Glendale
99.1
Grand Rapids
94.6
Utilities40.9%
Glendale
158.6
Grand Rapids
93.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Grand Rapids, MI
$67,300
$12,700 less needed in Grand Rapids

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8407. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Glendale, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Grand Rapids, MI

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

Glendale has 49.2% lower housing costs compared to Grand Rapids.

Income & Job Market

Glendale, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
196,543
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingFinance

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).

Glendale, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.