Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Grand Rapids.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Grand Rapids?
For relocators asking how much Grand Rapids costs: the housing index sits at 81 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $225,500 and rents near $1,191. Local median income is about $65,526 and unemployment recently ran 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 21 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 637.3 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 81U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $225,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,191U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $65,526U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 21 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 637.3per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 81°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Grand Rapids compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 200,117City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $65,526Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year17% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 81ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $225,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,191City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year12% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 21 min16% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5113% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 637.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)9% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1907.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)38% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 81°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 21°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 39.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 216As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Grand Rapids grew 6.4% from 188,007 in 2010 to 200,117 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Grand Rapids expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Grand Rapids's housing cost index is 81 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($225,500 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,191 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 81 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $225,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,191 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Grand Rapids?
Typical ownership costs center near $225,500, while median gross rent is about $1,191 a month. Against a median household income of $65,526, rent alone is roughly 22% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $225,500
- Median rent $1,191/month
- Median household income $65,526
What is the job market like in Grand Rapids?
County unemployment recently ran 4.3% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Grand Rapids is about $65,526 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $65,526
How long is the typical commute in Grand Rapids?
Average one-way commute time is about 21 minutes, with Walk Score near 51/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 21 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 51/100
Is Grand Rapids safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 637.3 per 100k and property about 1907.8 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 637.3 per 100k
- Property 1907.8 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Grand Rapids?
Normals show summer highs near 81°F, winter lows near 21°F, about 39.4 inches of rain, and roughly 216 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 81°F
- Winter low 21°F
- 39.4 in rain · 216 sunny days
Grand Rapids (pop. 200,117) sits in Michigan. Households here report a median income near $65,526; our housing-derived cost index is about 81 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $225,500 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Lake-effect snow and automotive supply chains still color the local economy. Pack for 81°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 21°F. Commutes average near 21 minutes one-way, with walkability near 51/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.3% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 637.3 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Grand Rapids is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Grand Rapids with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Grand Rapids city, 1600000US2634000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Kent County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094860 GRAND RAPIDS) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10