City profile
Grand Rapids, MI
Clean, growing West Michigan city with strong hospitals and Lake Michigan beaches nearby.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
25°F
Summer avg
72°F
Sunny days / yr
175
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$280,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,898
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
94
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.28%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.25%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 6.00%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 92/100
Top hazards: Strong wind, Tornado, Winter weather
Nearest major airport
9 mi to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 50% Democratic / 48% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
198,535
Growth since 2019
+0.1%
Median age
32.3
Residents 65+
12.6%
Median household income
$69,108
Income growth since 2019
+37.9%
Black household income
$43,676
Home ownership
54.0%
Poverty rate
16.9%
Poverty rate, 65+
16.2%
Race & ethnicity: Black 17.5% · White 57.5% · Hispanic 16.3% · Asian 2.8% · Other 5.9%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
894 · 171% above the national average
Property crime
2,334 · 50% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Grand Rapids Police Department. State average: violent 431, property 1,300.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms
Highlights
- Corewell Health hospitals
- Lake Michigan nearby
- Affordable
Trade-offs
- Gray winters
- Lake-effect snow
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.