on $100k a year, leaving Chicago
changea dispatch from
grand rapids
MI
42.96°N
85.67°W
Grand Rapids has won Beer City USA multiple times, hosts ArtPrize (one of the world's largest open art competitions every fall), and built itself on furniture (Steelcase, Herman Miller). The Frederik Meijer Sculpture Park is a sleeper world-class attraction. Downtown is walkable, the surrounding farmland is gorgeous in autumn, and Lake Michigan beaches are 30 minutes west. Quietly excellent.
the verdict
lighter monthly cost than Chicago
Grand Rapids gives you room Chicago doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
a quick ledger.
$1,620/mo
25% cheaper than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)
4.25%
$58/mo less in state tax than Chicago
vs 4.95% in Chicago
$6,359/mo
$608 more than Chicago
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$353k
3% cheaper than Chicago
vs $365k in Chicago
1.2M
vs 9.3M in Chicago
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in grand rapids.
Chicago gets 153 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine.
Lighter on events: Chicago packs 18.8× more into a month.
56/100
20% lower than Chicago
vs 70/100 in Chicago
Closest outdoor draw: White Pine Trail State Park, 5.4 mi.
97/100
3% lower than Chicago
vs 100/100 in Chicago
20
91% fewer than Chicago
vs 217 nonstops in Chicago
cities that play in grand rapids's register:
