2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Grand Rapids, MI vs Durham, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Durham or is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids?
- Durham is 4.6% more expensive than Grand Rapids.

Which city has more affordable housing, Durham or Grand Rapids?
- Durham housing costs are 36.2% more expensive than Grand Rapids housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Grand Rapids or is Health Care more affordable in Durham.
- Health related expenses are 20.6% more in Durham.
 Grand Rapids, MIDurham, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock98.8100
 Food & Groceries95.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock97.9100
 Housing78.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$388,000$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock84.1100
 Miscellaneous100.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Grand Rapids    62 Reviews

I've lived in Grand Rapids about 85% of my life and can confidently say it is a great place to live for anyone. I know countless people who dogged the city, moved  More

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Grand Rapids proper - the small city - is fairly OK. Nothing special stands out about it when judged against the nicer areas of the US, but it has some decent dining and  More

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Wow. “bland Rapids and everyone is Smug, uptight and part of the Christian Reformed Church. “ Someone is accurately describing Grand Rapids in 1985. Much has changed  More

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Reviews for Durham    43 Reviews

I was raised in this city, left for work in the 2010s, and returned in 2018. This city has changed a lot over the years for the better. Growing up there was not a ton to  More

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Over 4 years ago

I've lived in durham for a few years and my experience is coming from someone who has traveled all over the world and has lived in many different states. First things  More

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Over 4 years ago

I live here for my entire life and it has never gotten boring, I love the scenery, nightlife and basically everything here. There is always something new to do and  More

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