Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Grand Rapids, MI.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Grand Rapids, MI?
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 559.5).
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 · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 81°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Grand Rapids compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (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 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $65,526Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year17% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 81ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $225,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year26% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,191City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year12% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026Near U.S. rate (4.2%)U.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 21 min16% below catalog avgCatalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5113% above catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 637.3per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)14% above catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 1907.8per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)37% below catalog avgCatalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 81°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 21°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 39.4 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% above catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 216As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% below catalog avgCatalog avg 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, MI 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, MI?
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, MI?
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, MI?
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, MI 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 559.5 and 3005.3. 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, MI?
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 figures, 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 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Kent County, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094860 GRAND RAPIDS) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19