Grand Rapids, MI vs Columbus, OH: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Columbus, OH and Grand Rapids, MI are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Grand Rapids works out to about $74,900 in Columbus, before taxes.
- Housing is 1.6% higher in Columbus, goods 0.1% lower and other services 0.6% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,525 a month in Columbus and $1,614 in Grand Rapids, $1,068 a year less in Columbus (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $327,000 in Columbus and $356,000 in Grand Rapids.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.1%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Grand Rapids and Columbus
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Columbus, OH
All items Grand Rapids, MI: 95.5 Columbus, OH: 95.5
Goods Grand Rapids, MI: 93.7 Columbus, OH: 93.6
Housing (rents) Grand Rapids, MI: 86.6 Columbus, OH: 87.9
Utilities Grand Rapids, MI: 93.8 Columbus, OH: 95.5
Other services Grand Rapids, MI: 99.6 Columbus, OH: 98.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Rapids, MI | Columbus, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.5 | 95.5 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 86.6 | 87.9 |
| Utilities | 93.8 | 95.5 |
| Other services | 99.6 | 98.9 |
| Category | Grand Rapids | Columbus | Columbus vs Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.5 | 95.5 | −0.1% |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.6 | −0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 86.6 | 87.9 | +1.6% |
| Utilities | 93.8 | 95.5 | +1.9% |
| Other services | 99.6 | 98.9 | −0.6% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,614 | $1,525 | −5.5% |
| Typical home value | $356,000 | $327,000 | −8.1% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Grand Rapids | $75,000 | $74,900 | −0.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Grand Rapids and Columbus has been fairly stable since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Columbus, OH
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Rapids, MI | Columbus, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.6 | 96.6 |
| 2009 | 95.6 | 96.0 |
| 2010 | 95.2 | 95.9 |
| 2011 | 94.2 | 94.1 |
| 2012 | 94.7 | 95.4 |
| 2013 | 95.6 | 95.5 |
| 2014 | 95.1 | 95.3 |
| 2015 | 93.4 | 94.5 |
| 2016 | 94.2 | 94.6 |
| 2017 | 92.2 | 93.7 |
| 2018 | 94.1 | 95.3 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.6 |
| 2020 | 94.3 | 94.4 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 94.9 |
| 2022 | 94.1 | 94.1 |
| 2023 | 95.0 | 94.6 |
| 2024 | 95.5 | 95.5 |
Goods
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Columbus, OH
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Rapids, MI | Columbus, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.9 | 97.2 |
| 2009 | 95.3 | 96.7 |
| 2010 | 96.0 | 96.2 |
| 2011 | 95.7 | 95.8 |
| 2012 | 96.9 | 97.1 |
| 2013 | 96.7 | 96.9 |
| 2014 | 98.0 | 98.3 |
| 2015 | 97.5 | 97.8 |
| 2016 | 96.5 | 96.9 |
| 2017 | 94.8 | 95.2 |
| 2018 | 97.1 | 97.3 |
| 2019 | 95.9 | 95.9 |
| 2020 | 93.7 | 93.9 |
| 2021 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 92.1 | 92.3 |
| 2023 | 94.1 | 94.1 |
| 2024 | 93.7 | 93.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Columbus, OH
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Rapids, MI | Columbus, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.6 | 86.4 |
| 2009 | 86.1 | 84.5 |
| 2010 | 83.6 | 86.9 |
| 2011 | 84.0 | 84.1 |
| 2012 | 82.8 | 87.5 |
| 2013 | 87.1 | 87.1 |
| 2014 | 86.1 | 86.5 |
| 2015 | 82.3 | 87.7 |
| 2016 | 85.5 | 86.4 |
| 2017 | 78.9 | 85.9 |
| 2018 | 79.7 | 86.9 |
| 2019 | 86.0 | 85.8 |
| 2020 | 85.0 | 86.2 |
| 2021 | 94.4 | 87.4 |
| 2022 | 85.8 | 87.6 |
| 2023 | 88.8 | 87.1 |
| 2024 | 86.6 | 87.9 |
Utilities
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Columbus, OH
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Rapids, MI | Columbus, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.2 | 99.7 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 103.1 |
| 2010 | 102.0 | 97.6 |
| 2011 | 102.3 | 97.6 |
| 2012 | 103.1 | 95.3 |
| 2013 | 101.0 | 94.9 |
| 2014 | 92.8 | 89.5 |
| 2015 | 92.2 | 89.3 |
| 2016 | 91.5 | 85.1 |
| 2017 | 93.8 | 90.5 |
| 2018 | 98.4 | 94.5 |
| 2019 | 95.0 | 90.7 |
| 2020 | 98.5 | 91.3 |
| 2021 | 99.6 | 92.0 |
| 2022 | 93.5 | 87.6 |
| 2023 | 92.7 | 89.3 |
| 2024 | 93.8 | 95.5 |
Other services
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Columbus, OH
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Rapids, MI | Columbus, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2009 | 98.9 | 98.9 |
| 2010 | 98.5 | 98.5 |
| 2011 | 96.2 | 95.7 |
| 2012 | 96.7 | 96.5 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 97.0 |
| 2014 | 96.2 | 96.1 |
| 2015 | 94.4 | 94.6 |
| 2016 | 95.5 | 95.8 |
| 2017 | 94.5 | 94.9 |
| 2018 | 96.5 | 96.3 |
| 2019 | 98.6 | 98.5 |
| 2020 | 97.8 | 97.6 |
| 2021 | 97.9 | 97.5 |
| 2022 | 98.2 | 97.7 |
| 2023 | 97.7 | 97.5 |
| 2024 | 99.6 | 98.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,525 in Columbus vs $1,614 in Grand Rapids
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Columbus, OH
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Grand Rapids, MI | Columbus, OH | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $809 | $868 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $853 | $885 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $866 | $897 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $859 | $903 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $879 | $908 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $928 | $932 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $930 | $922 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $928 | $929 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $951 | $953 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $994 | $967 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $984 | $975 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $976 | $977 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $999 | $1,003 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,032 | $1,024 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,036 | $1,027 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,036 | $1,023 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,049 | $1,047 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,082 | $1,064 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,083 | $1,070 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,079 | $1,069 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,100 | $1,093 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,120 | $1,107 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,127 | $1,124 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,143 | $1,127 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,164 | $1,152 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,217 | $1,199 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,274 | $1,230 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,266 | $1,240 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,298 | $1,260 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,357 | $1,317 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,389 | $1,340 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,361 | $1,317 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,381 | $1,340 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,430 | $1,378 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,439 | $1,388 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,435 | $1,381 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,459 | $1,392 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,486 | $1,433 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,500 | $1,446 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,491 | $1,436 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,506 | $1,460 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,549 | $1,487 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,548 | $1,482 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,548 | $1,469 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,567 | $1,484 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,593 | $1,507 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,614 | $1,525 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $327,000 in Columbus vs $356,000 in Grand Rapids
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Columbus, OH
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Grand Rapids, MI | Columbus, OH | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $153K | $154K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $157K | $157K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $159K | $160K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $163K | $163K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $167K | $166K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $171K | $168K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $174K | $169K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $178K | $171K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $183K | $174K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $188K | $178K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $191K | $181K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $193K | $184K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $197K | $188K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $202K | $192K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $205K | $195K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $207K | $198K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $210K | $201K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $214K | $206K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $216K | $209K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $219K | $212K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $223K | $216K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $227K | $220K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $232K | $226K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $242K | $236K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $253K | $247K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $268K | $258K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $274K | $262K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $278K | $264K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $293K | $278K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $307K | $293K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $304K | $296K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $302K | $294K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $303K | $294K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $309K | $300K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $313K | $306K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $316K | $309K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $320K | $313K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $326K | $317K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $327K | $318K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $331K | $320K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $335K | $322K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $336K | $321K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $339K | $323K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $346K | $325K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $351K | $326K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $352K | $325K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $356K | $327K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Grand Rapids, MI
- Cost of living in Columbus, OH
- Reverse: moving from Columbus to Grand Rapids
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.