CostIndexUSA

Grand Rapids, MI vs Salt Lake City, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
UT
Salt Lake City
100.9
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Grand Rapids is moderately cheaper than Salt Lake City — 5.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Rapids, you would need $84,500 in Salt Lake City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+42.4%
Grand Rapids
86.6
Salt Lake City
123.3
🛒 Groceries+2.9%
Grand Rapids
93.7
Salt Lake City
96.4
🚗 Transportation0.6%
Grand Rapids
104.5
Salt Lake City
103.9
🏥 Healthcare0.6%
Grand Rapids
94.6
Salt Lake City
94
Utilities15.8%
Grand Rapids
93.8
Salt Lake City
79

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$84,500
$4,500 more needed in Salt Lake City

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.0565. 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×

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Home Price
$554,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
123.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.3×

Salt Lake City has 42.4% higher housing costs compared to Grand Rapids.

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

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Household Income
$94,400
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
200,567
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareFinanceTourismGovernment

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)

Salt Lake City, UT
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.