CostIndexUSA

Grand Rapids, MI vs Lynchburg, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Lynchburg
89.4
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Lynchburg is moderately cheaper than Grand Rapids — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Rapids, you would need $74,900 in Lynchburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.2%
Grand Rapids
86.6
Lynchburg
63.9
🛒 Groceries+3.3%
Grand Rapids
93.7
Lynchburg
96.8
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Grand Rapids
104.5
Lynchburg
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Grand Rapids
94.6
Lynchburg
93.7
Utilities6.4%
Grand Rapids
93.8
Lynchburg
87.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lynchburg, VA
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in Lynchburg

Formula: salary × (89.4 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9361. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Rapids, MI

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

Lynchburg, VA

Median Home Price
$277,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
63.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Grand Rapids has 26.2% lower housing costs compared to Lynchburg.

Income & Job Market

Grand Rapids, MI

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

Lynchburg, VA

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
82,168
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

75% of income left after rent (median)

Lynchburg, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.