on $100k a year, leaving Louisville
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
the monthly premium over Louisville
Grand Rapids costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$1,620/mo
18% more expensive than Louisville(vs $1,368/mo)
4.25%
$21/mo less in state tax than Louisville
vs 4.5% in Louisville
$6,359/mo
$231 less than Louisville
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$353k
25% more expensive than Louisville
vs $282k in Louisville
1.2M
vs 1.4M in Louisville
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in grand rapids.
Louisville actually gets more: 181 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 50 days below 20° vs Louisville's 15.
Comparable to Louisville for events and concerts.
56/100
4% higher than Louisville
vs 54/100 in Louisville
Closest outdoor draw: White Pine Trail State Park, 5.4 mi.
97/100
3% higher than Louisville
vs 94/100 in Louisville
20
9% fewer than Louisville
vs 22 nonstops in Louisville
same energy as grand rapids, different zip code:
