same $100k income, fresh start from Lexington
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
pricier each month than Lexington
Grand Rapids edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
a quick ledger.
$1,620/mo
9% more expensive than Lexington(vs $1,488/mo)
4.25%
$21/mo less in state tax than Lexington
vs 4.5% in Lexington
$6,359/mo
$111 less than Lexington
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$353k
9% more expensive than Lexington
vs $324k in Lexington
1.2M
vs 520k in Lexington
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in grand rapids.
Lexington has the edge here, logging 171 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 50 days below 20° vs Lexington's 19.
A real upgrade on things to do: 1.6× Lexington's pace.
56/100
7% lower than Lexington
vs 60/100 in Lexington
Closest outdoor draw: White Pine Trail State Park, 5.4 mi.
97/100
10% higher than Lexington
vs 88/100 in Lexington
20
54% more than Lexington
vs 13 nonstops in Lexington
same energy as grand rapids, different zip code:
