What is the cost of living in Big Rapids, MI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Big Rapids has an overall cost of living index of 87, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Michigan, Big Rapids has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Michigan's index of 91.
The standard of living in Big Rapids ranks as #48 most affordable out of the 179 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies Big Rapids ranks as the #131 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.
For more reading on life in Big Rapids, check out:
Big Rapids Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Big Rapids. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Big Rapids is 100.
The Groceries index in Big Rapids is 96.
The Health index in Big Rapids is 63.
The Housing index in Big Rapids is 95.
The Transportation index in Big Rapids is 104.
The Utilities index in Big Rapids is 94.
| Living Expense | Big Rapids | Michigan | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 87 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 63 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 98 | 100 |
Big Rapids Cost Of Living Compared To Michigan Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Michigan, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Big Rapids Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Big Rapids, MI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Michigan, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Big Rapids is $215,284.
The Median Rent in Big Rapids is $929.
The Median Income in Big Rapids is $43,858.
The Home Value To Income in Big Rapids is 4.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Big Rapids is 0.25x.
| Statistic | Big Rapids | Michigan | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $215,284 | $259,857 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $929 | $1,129 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $43,858 | $72,875 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.9x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.25x | 0.19x | 0.21x |
Big Rapids, MI Costs By Category
Detailed Big Rapids Services costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Big Rapids | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.4 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $11.22 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $22.17 | $18 |
| Haircut | $24.53 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $56.27 | $45.56 |
Detailed Big Rapids Groceries costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Big Rapids | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.51 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.69 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.84 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.77 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $10.99 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.38 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.64 | $3.7 |
Detailed Big Rapids Health costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Big Rapids | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $91.4 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $139.14 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $120.35 | $113.29 |
Detailed Big Rapids Transportation costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Big Rapids | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.42 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $60.57 | $59.92 |
Detailed Big Rapids Utilities costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Big Rapids | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $180.47 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $184.98 | $192.25 |
Big Rapids SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Big Rapids
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Big Rapids. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Mount Pleasant, MI has a cost of living index of 93, 1.1x Big Rapids.
Northview, MI has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x Big Rapids.
Comstock Park, MI has a cost of living index of 93, 1.1x Big Rapids.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Big Rapids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, MI | 21,236 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Northview, MI | 15,268 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Comstock Park, MI | 10,577 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Cadillac, MI | 10,445 | 86 | 1.0x |
| Alma, MI | 9,396 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Greenville, MI | 8,995 | 88 | 1.0x |
| St. Louis, MI | 7,367 | 86 | 1.0x |
| Rockford, MI | 6,218 | 105 | 1.2x |
| Belding, MI | 5,960 | 89 | 1.0x |
