CostIndexUSA

Grand Rapids, MI vs Tucson, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
AZ
Tucson
96.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Grand Rapids is slightly cheaper than Tucson — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Rapids, you would need $81,200 in Tucson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+6.0%
Grand Rapids
86.6
Tucson
91.8
🛒 Groceries+2.7%
Grand Rapids
93.7
Tucson
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Grand Rapids
104.5
Tucson
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Grand Rapids
94.6
Tucson
94.8
Utilities4.6%
Grand Rapids
93.8
Tucson
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$81,200
$1,200 more needed in Tucson

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.0147. 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×

Tucson, AZ

Median Home Price
$338,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
91.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Tucson has 6.0% 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

Tucson, AZ

Median Household Income
$69,800
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
542,629
Top Industries
MilitaryEducationHealthcareTourismManufacturing

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)

Tucson, AZ
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.