Cost of Living in Grand Rapids, MI
| Cost of Living in Grand Rapids, MI | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 0% | 14% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | - | 0% |
| Food | 5% lower | 4% lower |
| Healthcare | 6% lower | 4% lower |
| Transportation | 3% lower | 1% lower |
| Goods & Services | 0% | 2% higher |
The cost of living in Grand Rapids, MI is 1% lower than the state average and 4% lower than the national average. Grand Rapids, MI housing is 14% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 0% . When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% more in Grand Rapids, MI than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 2% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 4% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 2% pricier in Grand Rapids, MI.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Grand Rapids is $1,437, while home prices circle around $391,682.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Grand Rapids, energy bills cost around $184.24 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $2.76 in Grand Rapids, a dozen eggs go for around $2.65 and a pound of potatoes circles around $3.38.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Grand Rapids, an optometry check-up costs around $111.59, while a dentist appointment is priced $111.43 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.81 in Grand Rapids, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $53.78.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $28.31 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $20.17.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Grand Rapids, you should budget around $12.13 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $24.13, while dry cleaning costs about $22.43.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Grand Rapids, the median household income is $55,385.