Big Rapids, MI Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Big Rapids, MI Summary

Cost of living in Big Rapids research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Big Rapids is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Michigan, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Big Rapids is 81, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Big Rapids is 0.8x lower than the national average.

  • Big Rapids ranks as the #11 cheapest in Michigan out of 180.

  • Big Rapids ranks as the #158 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Big Rapids is $211,740.

  • The median income in Big Rapids is $40,197.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
81
Big Rapids's Overall Cost Of Living
0.8x
Lower Than The National Average

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 81, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Michigan, Big Rapids has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Michigan's index of 90.

The standard of living in Big Rapids ranks as #11 most affordable out of the 180 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies Big Rapids ranks as the #169 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.

For more reading on life in Big Rapids, check out:

11 out of 180
In Michigan
158 out of 6,489
In America

Big Rapids Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Big Rapids. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Big Rapids is 92.

  • The Groceries index in Big Rapids is 93.

  • The Health index in Big Rapids is 95.

  • The Housing index in Big Rapids is 60.

  • The Transportation index in Big Rapids is 94.

  • The Utilities index in Big Rapids is 104.

Living Expense Big Rapids Michigan National Average
Overall 81 90 100
Services 92 93 100
Groceries 93 97 100
Health 95 91 100
Housing 60 72 100
Transportation 94 96 100
Utilities 104 99 100
For more reading on cost of living around Michigan, check out:
Big Rapids Cost of Living Vs. MI

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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Big Rapids is $211,740.

  • The Median Rent in Big Rapids is $815.

  • The Median Income in Big Rapids is $40,197.

  • The Home Value To Income in Big Rapids is 5.3x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Big Rapids is 0.24x.

Statistic Big Rapids Michigan United States
Median Home Value $211,740 $258,642 $303,400
Median Rent $815 $1,084 $1,348
Median Income $40,197 $71,149 $78,538
Home Value To Income 5.3x 3.6x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.24x 0.18x 0.21x
$211,740
Median Home Value
$815
Median Rent
$40,197
Median Income

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

5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
4/10
Housing
5
Affordability
5
Diversity
7
Safety
7
Amenities
8.5
Education
8
Commute
10

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 88, 1.1x Big Rapids.

  • Northview, MI has a cost of living index of 94, 1.2x Big Rapids.

  • Cadillac, MI has a cost of living index of 84, 1.0x Big Rapids.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Big Rapids
Mount Pleasant, MI 21,420 88 1.1x
Northview, MI 15,225 94 1.2x
Cadillac, MI 10,404 84 1.0x
Comstock Park, MI 10,306 91 1.1x
Alma, MI 9,421 82 1.0x
Greenville, MI 8,897 85 1.0x
St. Louis, MI 6,926 84 1.0x
Rockford, MI 6,162 100 1.2x
Belding, MI 5,949 83 1.0x

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