same $100k income, fresh start from New Orleans
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
more expensive each month than New Orleans
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
0% more expensive than New Orleans(vs $1,612/mo)
4.25%
$104/mo more in state tax than New Orleans
vs 3% in New Orleans
$6,359/mo
$112 less than New Orleans
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$353k
36% more expensive than New Orleans
vs $259k in New Orleans
1.2M
vs 962k in New Orleans
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in grand rapids.
New Orleans actually gets more: 235 pleasant days a year. The trade is winter: 50 days below 20°, vs 0 in New Orleans.
Comparable to New Orleans for events and concerts.
56/100
2% higher than New Orleans
vs 55/100 in New Orleans
Closest outdoor draw: White Pine Trail State Park, 5.4 mi.
97/100
1% lower than New Orleans
vs 98/100 in New Orleans
20
49% fewer than New Orleans
vs 39 nonstops in New Orleans
neighbors of grand rapids on the map of tradeoffs:
