Living in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Grand Rapids · Census data 2020–2024
Grand Rapids has 198,535 residents with a median age of 32.3. The median household income is $69,108 (5% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $244,500, the median rent is $1,266/month.
Grand Rapids at a glance
- Population
- 198,535
- Median age
- 32.3State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $69,108State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $244,500State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $1,266/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 54%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41.6%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Grand Rapids a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 5.2%.
Cons: Median household income 5% lower than the Michigan median; home values 6% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 16.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Grand Rapids
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Grand Rapids the median home value is $244,500, 27% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,266 per month, which is 29.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,393 a month in housing costs.
Grand Rapids median household income
The median household income in Grand Rapids is $69,108 and the income per person is $35,921. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Grand Rapids: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 84,894
- Owner-occupied
- 54%
- Renter-occupied
- 46%
- Vacant
- 5.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1953
- Average household size
- 2.38
Grand Rapids demographics
- Population
- 198,535
- Median age
- 32.3
- Under 18
- 21%
- 65 and older
- 12.9%
- Households
- 80,222
- Foreign-born
- 11.1%
- Veterans
- 4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Grand Rapids ›
Education in Grand Rapids
41.6% of adults 25 and older in Grand Rapids have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 14.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Grand Rapids
- Unemployment rate
- 5.2%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 13.9%
- Drive alone
- 68.7%
- Public transit
- 3%
- Walk to work
- 4.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.4%
Grand Rapids vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | 198,535 | $69,108 | $244,500 | $1,266 |
| East Grand Rapids | 11,445 | $166,610 | $521,300 | $1,862 |
| Wyoming | 77,353 | $73,677 | $225,200 | $1,196 |
| Walker | 25,386 | $76,360 | $295,200 | $1,202 |
| Comstock Park | 10,577 | $59,984 | $235,300 | $1,189 |
| Northview | 15,268 | $85,403 | $289,300 | $1,247 |
| Kentwood | 54,296 | $74,373 | $268,200 | $1,260 |
| Grandville | 16,356 | $78,442 | $271,300 | $1,143 |
| Forest Hills | 28,695 | $158,005 | $498,500 | $1,958 |
More for people moving to Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Grand Rapids: FAQ
What is the median household income in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median household income in Grand Rapids is $69,108, 5% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Grand Rapids?
The median home value in Grand Rapids is $244,500, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Grand Rapids?
The median gross rent in Grand Rapids is $1,266 per month, about 29.6% of household income.
Is Grand Rapids, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 5.2%. Minuses: median household income 5% lower than the Michigan median; home values 6% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 16.9%.
What is the median age in Grand Rapids?
The median age in Grand Rapids is 32.3 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Grand Rapids?
The average commute to work in Grand Rapids is 19 minutes; 13.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Grand Rapids?
The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids is 5.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Grand Rapids?
41.6% of adults in Grand Rapids have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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