Living Cost Compare

Cost of Living in Grand Rapids, MI

Population 197,768 · Michigan

~$1,200/mo est.1BR $964Home $225,500

The cost of living in Grand Rapids, MI is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $964 a month — 8% lower than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $992 and two-bedrooms $1,206.

Median household income here is $65,526, about the same as the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,200 before food and transport. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $964
Studio
$992
1 Bedroom
$964
2 Bedroom
$1,206
3 Bedroom
$1,421
Buying a Home$225,500
Median Home Value
$225,500
Income$65,526
Median Household Income
$65,526
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest
Milk (gal)
$4.31
Bread (lb)
$1.66
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
Bananas (lb)
$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities23.0¢/kWh
Electricity
23.0¢/kWh
Natural Gas
$19.72/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.85/gal
Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))
$3.85/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (MI)6% sales
State Sales Tax
6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 4.25%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime910.1 violent
Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)
910.1
Property Crime (per 100k/yr)
2,506.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Grand Rapids Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 32.1 yrs
Median Age
32.1 yrs
Homeownership
54.6%
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
Avg Commute
19.4 min
Climate49.1°F
Avg Annual Temperature
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in

Grand Rapids cost of living — FAQ

Is Grand Rapids expensive to live in?
Grand Rapids is around the middle of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $964 per month ranks #97 of 158 and is 8% lower than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Grand Rapids?
Average rent in Grand Rapids, MI runs a studio around $992, a one-bedroom around $964, a two-bedroom around $1,206, a three-bedroom around $1,421 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids?
To keep a one-bedroom rent of $964 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year. The median household income here is $65,526.
How much does it cost to live in Grand Rapids per month?
A rough monthly baseline for one person in Grand Rapids is about $1,200 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Grand Rapids with nearby cities

Grand Rapids vs Ann ArborGrand Rapids vs MilwaukeeGrand Rapids vs ChicagoGrand Rapids vs Fort WayneGrand Rapids vs DetroitGrand Rapids vs Naperville

Nearby cities

Ann Arbor, MI 109 miMilwaukee, WI 113 miChicago, IL 125 miFort Wayne, IN 133 miDetroit, MI 140 miNaperville, IL 152 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.