CostIndexUSA

Grand Rapids, MI vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than Grand Rapids — 12.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Rapids, you would need $70,000 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−50.6%
Grand Rapids
86.6
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Grand Rapids
93.7
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−3.8%
Grand Rapids
104.5
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−3.9%
Grand Rapids
94.6
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−23.0%
Grand Rapids
93.8
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$70,000
$10,000 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.8754. 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×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Grand Rapids has 50.6% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

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

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Grand Rapids vs other cities

Grand Rapids, MI
vs
Ann Arbor, MI
Index: 95.5Index: 100.9
Grand Rapids, MI
vs
Detroit, MI
Index: 95.5Index: 100.3
Grand Rapids, MI
vs
Flint, MI
Index: 95.5Index: 93
Grand Rapids, MI
vs
Huntington Beach, CA
Index: 95.5Index: 113.6
Grand Rapids, MI
vs
Montgomery, AL
Index: 95.5Index: 89.7

Monroe vs other cities

Monroe, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 90.8
Monroe, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 87.2
Monroe, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 85.9
Monroe, LA
vs
Charleston, WV
Index: 83.6Index: 88.7
Monroe, LA
vs
San Luis Obispo, CA
Index: 83.6Index: 108.6

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.