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) | 6% lower | 8% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 2% lower | 3% lower |
| Food | 2% lower | 2% lower |
| Healthcare | 2% lower | 2% lower |
| Transportation | 2% lower | 1% lower |
| Goods & Services | 2% higher | 6% higher |
The cost of living in Grand Rapids, MI is 1% lower than the state average and 1% lower than the national average. Grand Rapids, MI housing is 8% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 3% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% cheaper in Grand Rapids, MI than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 6% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 2% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 6% 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 $1,588, while home prices circle around $457,239.
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 $202.22 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 $5.05 in Grand Rapids, a dozen eggs go for around $3.11 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.68.
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 $144.94, while a dentist appointment is priced $120.73 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.17 in Grand Rapids, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $67.32.
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 $42.64 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $26.00.
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 $13.30 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $33.35, while dry cleaning costs about $22.42.
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 $65,526.