Cost of living in Grand Rapids, MI
1,183,645 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 4.5% below the US average, with housing at 86.6 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $1,071 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Grand Rapids, MI
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2022 childcare prices for Kent County, MI in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $82,874 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $6,906 |
| Taxes | $992 | $1,581 | $837 |
| Take-home pay | $4,008 | $7,585 | $6,069 |
| Housing | $1,365 | $1,630 | $1,630 |
| Childcare | $0 | $917 | $1,349 |
| Food | $413 | $926 | $1,202 |
| Transportation | $164 | $329 | $329 |
| Sales tax | $28 | $28 | $28 |
| Other goods & services | $966 | $966 | $966 |
| Left over | $1,071 | $2,788 | $565 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($82,874). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Grand Rapids, MI vs Michigan and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Michigan statewide (light).
Within Michigan, Grand Rapids, MI ranks 3rd of 15 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 96.2. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,306 | $52,240 | 18.9% |
| 1-bedroom | $1,365 | $54,600 | 19.8% |
| 2-bedroom | $1,630 | $65,200 | 23.6% |
| 3-bedroom | $2,113 | $84,520 | 30.6% |
| 4-bedroom | $2,417 | $96,680 | 35.0% |
FY2027 FMRs for Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI HUD Metro FMR Area: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $1,202 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Kent County, MI
| Age band | Center, weekly (2022) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2022) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $173 | $11,009 | $207 | $13,167 |
| Toddler (2) | $173 | $11,009 | $207 | $13,167 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $136 | $8,654 | $186 | $11,807 |
| School-age (5–12) | $118 | $7,530 | $151 | $9,570 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 county medians for full-time care in Kent County, MI (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2224, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2022 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Grand Rapids
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Michigan income tax | $1,874 | $2,937 | $4,849 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,373 | $4,888 | $7,367 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 19.0% | 21.8% | 26.3% |
Grand Rapids levies a city income tax, but its rate is not in our verified data, so it is not included. State sales tax: 6% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Calculate take-home pay for your household in Grand Rapids, MI
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI | — | 95.5 | $1,630 | $1,071 |
| Muskegon, MI · compare | 35 mi | 92.5 | $1,285 | $1,454 (+$383) |
| Kalamazoo, MI · compare | 48 mi | 94.8 | $1,158 | $1,423 (+$352) |
| Battle Creek, MI · compare | 51 mi | 90.5 | $1,233 | $1,404 (+$333) |
| Lansing, MI · compare | 58 mi | 95.0 | $1,323 | $1,382 (+$311) |
| Jackson, MI · compare | 81 mi | 91.8 | $1,201 | $1,452 (+$381) |
| Niles, MI · compare | 84 mi | 92.4 | $1,152 | $1,549 (+$478) |
Common moves to and from Grand Rapids, MI
Census ACS metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020), people who moved in a year.
- Muskegon, MI3,549
- Detroit, MI3,447
- Detroit, MI6,318
Frequently asked questions
Is Grand Rapids, MI expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Grand Rapids, MI metro at 95.5 (US = 100) in 2024 — 4.5% below the national average and the 155th highest of 387 metros. Housing is 86.6, goods 93.7.
What salary do you need to live in Grand Rapids, MI?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,008 a month after 2026 taxes and has $1,071 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Grand Rapids, MI?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $1,365 for a 1-bedroom and $1,630 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $1,202.
Does Grand Rapids have a local income tax?+
Grand Rapids levies a city income tax, but its rate is not in our verified data, so it is not included.