Cost of Living in Wayland, MI

Population 4,430 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Wayland offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $201,000 — costs less than 2.8 times median household income of $71,797, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. An unemployment rate of 2.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 20 miles south of Grand Rapids, Wayland falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Grand Rapids' $226,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 66

Rent 83

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

About the Cost of Living in Wayland

The median home value in Wayland is $201,200 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,085/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,797/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, 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, Wayland has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

📍

Wayland has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

Cutlerville, MI

Median home: $200,900

Rent: $1,174/mo

Income: $65,833

Kentwood, MI

Median home: $249,000

Rent: $1,205/mo

Income: $73,647

Wyoming, MI

Median home: $203,900

Rent: $1,141/mo

Income: $72,163

Grandville, MI

Median home: $251,100

Rent: $1,112/mo

Income: $78,551

Jenison, MI

Median home: $257,600

Rent: $1,962/mo

Income: $86,063

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$201,200

34% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$328,790

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,085/mo

17% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,488/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

15.5x

Favors buying

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 69.8%

Renter-occupied 30.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,085

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,699/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

24.5 min

9% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

6.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

73.9%

Carpooled

9.1%

Public transit

0.3%

Walked

9.5%

Work from home

6.5%

⚡ 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

$71,797

4% below avg

Per Capita Income

$35,170

Unemployment Rate

2.9%

39% below avg

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Labor Force Participation

70.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.8%

Graduate degree 4.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.2

Male median age 37.8

Female median age 30.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good

68.3%

Good air days/yr

161

Max AQI recorded

160

PM2.5 days

200

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%

4-Year Graduation Rate

19.4:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

3,052

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wayland, MI?

Wayland has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wayland, MI?

The median gross rent in Wayland is $1,085 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wayland?

The median home value in Wayland is $201,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wayland?

The median household income in Wayland is $71,797 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wayland, MI?

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

Is Wayland, MI affordable?

Yes, Wayland is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.

Wayland at a Glance

Population: 4,430
Median Income: $71,797
Home Value: $201,200
Median Rent: $1,085/mo
Unemployment: 2.9%
Sales Tax: 6.0%

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