What is the cost of living in Grand Rapids, MI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Grand Rapids has an overall cost of living index of 98, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Michigan, Grand Rapids has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Michigan's index of 91.
The standard of living in Grand Rapids ranks as #128 most affordable out of the 179 places we measured in Michigan. By definition, that implies Grand Rapids ranks as the #51 most expensive place in the Wolverine State.
For more reading on life in Grand Rapids, check out:
Grand Rapids Cost Of Living Vs. Michigan
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Grand Rapids. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Grand Rapids is 101.
The Groceries index in Grand Rapids is 100.
The Health index in Grand Rapids is 91.
The Housing index in Grand Rapids is 101.
The Transportation index in Grand Rapids is 99.
The Utilities index in Grand Rapids is 98.
| Living Expense | Grand Rapids | Michigan | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 98 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 91 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 98 | 100 |
Grand 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 Grand Rapids Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Grand 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 Grand Rapids is $303,297.
The Median Rent in Grand Rapids is $1,266.
The Median Income in Grand Rapids is $69,108.
The Home Value To Income in Grand Rapids is 4.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Grand Rapids is 0.22x.
| Statistic | Grand Rapids | Michigan | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $303,297 | $259,857 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,266 | $1,129 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $69,108 | $72,875 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.4x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.22x | 0.19x | 0.21x |
Grand Rapids, MI Costs By Category
Detailed Grand Rapids Services costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Grand 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 Grand Rapids Groceries costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Grand 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 Grand Rapids Health costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Grand Rapids | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $91.4 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $139.14 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $120.35 | $113.29 |
Detailed Grand Rapids Transportation costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Grand Rapids | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.42 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $60.57 | $59.92 |
Detailed Grand Rapids Utilities costs vs. Michigan
| Item | Grand Rapids | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $180.47 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $184.98 | $192.25 |
Grand Rapids SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Grand Rapids
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Grand Rapids. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Wyoming, MI has a cost of living index of 92, 0.9x Grand Rapids.
Kentwood, MI has a cost of living index of 94, 1.0x Grand Rapids.
Forest Hills, MI has a cost of living index of 120, 1.2x Grand Rapids.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming, MI | 77,353 | 92 | 0.9x |
| Kentwood, MI | 54,296 | 94 | 1.0x |
| Forest Hills, MI | 28,695 | 120 | 1.2x |
| Walker, MI | 25,386 | 101 | 1.0x |
| Cutlerville, MI | 18,780 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Jenison, MI | 17,582 | 102 | 1.0x |
| Grandville, MI | 16,356 | 94 | 1.0x |
| Northview, MI | 15,268 | 100 | 1.0x |
| East Grand Rapids, MI | 11,445 | 125 | 1.3x |
| Comstock Park, MI | 10,577 | 93 | 0.9x |
