Best Life Index › States › Michigan › Cities › Grand Rapids

Michigan city profile

What Is It Like to Live in Grand Rapids?

What it costs to live in Grand Rapids, and how it compares with other Michigan cities, in plain numbers.

Value score

28

71st best value in Michigan

How much you get for what you pay, versus other Michigan cities.

Overall livability

39

56th overall in Michigan

Cost, safety, schools, jobs and quality of life combined.

Grand Rapids is home to about 197,858 people. A typical home runs $168,700 and a household earns around $55,400, a price-to-income ratio of 3.0. Among Michigan's largest cities, it ranks 71st for value and 56th overall.

Grand Rapids at a glance

Median home price

$168,700

60th in MI of 75

Median rent

$1,013/mo

Median household income

$55,400

Home price to income

3.0x

Unemployment

6.2%

39th in MI of 75

School rating

4/10

38th in MI of 75

Air quality (AQI)

45

0th in MI of 75

Walk score

23/100

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‹ See all top Michigan cities ranked  ยท  Michigan state profile ›

Sources: Home prices and rent from Zillow; income, unemployment and commute from the U.S. Census; school ratings from state education data; crime from the FBI; air quality from the EPA. City rankings are within Michigan only. Updated 2026.