Living in Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids is the 127th-largest city in the US, home to about 201,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (95.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 201,183+1.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $244,5003.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,266/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $69,108median, per year
- Price level
- 95.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 31° / 83°lows 19° / 63°
- Average commute
- 19 min14% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.25%top rate, flat
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County: Kent County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 640 ft
Metro area: Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Cost of living in Grand Rapids
The median home in Grand Rapids is worth $244,500 and the median household earns $69,108 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,266 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area at 95.5, with housing at 86.6 and goods at 93.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $71,700 here. Michigan taxes wages at a top rate of 4.25% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Michigan is 6%.
What would my salary be worth in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids weather
Average highs run from 31°F in January to 83°F in July, and January nights average 19°F. It gets 39 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 78 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 133 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Grand Rapids
People and work
The median resident is 32.3 years old, and 42% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 54% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 19 minutes; 14% of workers work from home and 3% take public transit.
- Median age
- 32.362nd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 42%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 54%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,49344.8 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 3%4% walk, 0.8% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 16.9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1953median year
Who moves to Grand Rapids, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Troy (Oakland County), Chicago (Cook County) and Detroit (Wayne County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Troy (Oakland County), Chicago (Cook County) and Detroit (Wayne County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Kent County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: strong wind, tornado, inland flooding, winter weather.
Home prices
+4.5% in a year
Up 50% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
42% good days
9 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Grand Rapids
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Grand Valley State University 14 miles
- Grand Rapids Community College 4 miles
- Calvin University 6 miles
- Hope College 29 miles
- Davenport University 12 miles
- Muskegon Community College 34 miles
- Cornerstone University 2 miles
- Aquinas College 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Grand Rapids
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald R. Ford International Airport GRR | 10 mi | 2,065,053 |
| Muskegon County Airport MKG | 33 mi | 2,729 |
| Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport AZO | 53 mi | 92,510 |
| Capital Region International Airport LAN | 55 mi | 123,608 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Grand Rapids
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Valley State University | 14 mi | 18,854 | $16,495 | 65% |
| Grand Rapids Community College | 4 mi | 10,698 | $3,357 | 20% |
| Calvin University | 6 mi | 3,193 | $21,122 | 77% |
| Davenport University | 12 mi | 3,134 | $17,623 | 53% |
| Cornerstone University | 2 mi | 1,298 | $18,028 | 62% |
| Aquinas College | 3 mi | 1,083 | $21,630 | 56% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Grand Rapids
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 29, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 7 and the first frost comes around October 20.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Grand Rapids, MI, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Grand Rapids.
Wildfire smoke in Grand Rapids
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Grand Rapids on about 124 days a year, including about 40 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Grand Rapids
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 80,222 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Grand Rapids
Downtown Grand Rapids is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Public Schools | Pre-K to 12 | 13,692 | 48 | 16.3 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Kentwood Public Schools (9,631 students), Forest Hills Public Schools (8,838 students), Rockford Public Schools (7,509 students), Grandville Public Schools (5,547 students), Caledonia Community Schools (4,598 students), Wyoming Public Schools (3,832 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Grand Rapids's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Grand Rapids's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Albany, NY83% matchCompare
- Springfield, MA79% matchCompare
- Pittsburgh, PA76% matchCompare
- Buffalo, NY75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Grand Rapids
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Grand Rapids
- Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl 31 miles
- Timber Ridge Ski Area 43 miles
- Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf Resort 86 miles
- Mount Brighton 98 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Grand Rapids
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Commutes are short: 19 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 78 inches a year.
Grand Rapids report card from locals
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Grand Rapids through locals' eyes
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Cities near Grand Rapids
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming, MI | 8 mi | 78,588 | $225,200 | 95.5 | Compare |
| Lansing, MI | 57 mi | 113,884 | $128,700 | 95.0 | Compare |
| Flint, MI | 96 mi | 79,306 | $53,500 | 93.0 | Compare |
| South Bend, IN | 98 mi | 103,201 | $140,400 | 92.9 | Compare |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 108 mi | 122,233 | $453,400 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Racine, WI | 112 mi | 77,908 | $166,500 | 96.0 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills and Jenison lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Grand Rapids.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Grand Rapids with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Grand Rapids a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Grand Rapids side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Grand Rapids?
The Census Bureau estimates Grand Rapids had 201,183 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 198,843 in April 2020 (+1.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $71,700 in the Grand Rapids area. The median household here earns $69,108.
When is the best time to visit Grand Rapids?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 83°F and January 31°F for daytime highs.
What county is Grand Rapids in?
Grand Rapids is in Kent County, Michigan. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Grand Rapids in?
Grand Rapids is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Grand Rapids?
About 640 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Michigan have a state income tax?
Yes. Michigan has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.25% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Grand Rapids. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Grand Rapids, MI station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.