Cost of Living in East Grand Rapids, MI

Population 11,394 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

152
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

East Grand Rapids is a smaller Michigan community of around 11000 residents, where median household incomes of $168,487 and housing costs ($489,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 3.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

East Grand Rapids is part of the immediate Grand Rapids metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 117% higher than Grand Rapids' $226,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 160
Rent 140

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in East Grand Rapids

The median home value in East Grand Rapids is $488,500 — 60% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,845/month, 40% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $168,487/year is 126% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, East Grand Rapids has a cost of living index of 152 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$488,500
60% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$648,390
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,845/mo
40% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.1x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.5%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$707
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$962
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,444
Owner-occupied 94.3%
Renter-occupied 5.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,845
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,459/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.0 min
30% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
23.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.9%
Carpooled
5.1%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
2.5%
Bicycle
0.6%
Work from home
23.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.5%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$168,487
126% above avg
Per Capita Income
$73,756
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
38% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Labor Force Participation
72.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 38.4%
Graduate degree 44.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37
Male median age 36.5
Female median age 37.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
51.5%
Good air days/yr
220
Max AQI recorded
198
PM2.5 days
153
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in East Grand Rapids, MI?

East Grand Rapids has a cost index of 152 (100 = national average). It is 52% above the national average.

What is average rent in East Grand Rapids, MI?

The median gross rent in East Grand Rapids is $1,845 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in East Grand Rapids?

The median home value in East Grand Rapids is $488,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in East Grand Rapids?

The median household income in East Grand Rapids is $168,487 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in East Grand Rapids, MI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in East Grand Rapids is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is East Grand Rapids, MI affordable?

East Grand Rapids is above average in cost of living, with an index of 152 — about 52% higher than the national average.

East Grand Rapids at a Glance

Population
11,394
Median Income
$168,487
Home Value
$488,500
Median Rent
$1,845/mo
Unemployment
3.0%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Michigan →
🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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