Rows tagged local are specific to Grand Rapids (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Grand Rapids, MI. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 3/10 (district 2616440 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
95.0
metro-area
#94 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
94.1
metro-area
#31 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.40
metro-area
#91 of 200
Median household income
$61,634
local
#72 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$35,865
local
#96 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.57%
local
#43 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+1.4%
local
#86 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$203,900
local
#113 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.3×
local
#96 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+4.8%
metro-area
#20 of 200
Price per square foot
$124
local
#133 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,650 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,138
local
#103 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,094
Median days on market
6
metro-area
#5 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.0%
state
#97 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#16 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
4.25%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.11%
local
#127 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,274
local
#109 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#53 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$11,000
state
#99 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#135 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.61% of value (~$171/yr)
state
#109 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
3
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#43 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
21.4¢/kWh
state
#141 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$193
state
#141 of 200
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$74
state
#28 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,700
state
#175 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
51
metro-area
#138 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
600
metro-area
#14 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,600
metro-area
#181 of 200
Avg summer high
83°F
metro-area
#21 of 200
Avg winter low
16°F
metro-area
#168 of 200
Annual precipitation
39.4"
metro-area
#78 of 200
Annual snowfall
77.6"
metro-area
#197 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
46%
metro-area
#194 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
460
state
#143 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,600
state
#37 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
21
metro-area
#162 of 200
Parks
25
Hiking areas
7
Golf courses
9
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
6
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.