Cost of living in the Grand Rapids Metro Area
5 counties across MI. Population: 1,154,320.
Last updated May 22, 2026
Rent in the Grand Rapids Metro Area
Average rent across the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood metro area, weighted by county population.
Source: HUD FMR + ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Income and earnings in the Grand Rapids Metro Area
Earnings data averaged across all 5 counties.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Home values in the Grand Rapids Metro Area
Average home values and annual property tax across the metro.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Energy costs in the Grand Rapids Metro Area
Residential electricity and natural gas estimates.
Source: EIA (state averages applied per county, weighted)
All 5 counties in the Grand Rapids Metro Area
The Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood metro area includes 5 counties. Sorted by population.
- Grand Rapids MI$3,281/moPop658,844 Rent$1,209/mo Income$80,390/yrGrand Rapids MI 658,844 $1,209/mo $80,390/yr $3,281/mo
- Ottawa County MI$3,225/moPop298,614 Rent$1,197/mo Income$87,144/yrOttawa County MI 298,614 $1,197/mo $87,144/yr $3,225/mo
- Montcalm County MI$2,827/moPop67,174 Rent$883/mo Income$64,892/yrMontcalm County MI 67,174 $883/mo $64,892/yr $2,827/mo
- Ionia County MI$2,915/moPop66,706 Rent$896/mo Income$73,436/yrIonia County MI 66,706 $896/mo $73,436/yr $2,915/mo
- Barry County MI$2,870/moPop62,982 Rent$793/mo Income$77,873/yrBarry County MI 62,982 $793/mo $77,873/yr $2,870/mo
Compare counties in the Grand Rapids Metro Area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up across the metro.
Open comparison toolFrequently asked questions about the Grand Rapids Metro Area
Common questions about cost of living in the metro area.
What is the cost of living in the Grand Rapids Metro Area?
The estimated average cost of living in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood metro area is approximately $3,197 per month for a single person. This is a population-weighted average across the 5 counties that make up the metro area.
What is the average rent in the Grand Rapids Metro Area?
The average one-bedroom rent across the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood metro area is $1,146 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data weighted by county population.
What is the cheapest county in the Grand Rapids Metro Area?
Montcalm County, MI is the most affordable county in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood metro area at approximately $2,827 per month for a single person.
What is the most expensive county in the Grand Rapids Metro Area?
Kent County, MI is the most expensive county in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood metro area at approximately $3,281 per month for a single person.
How many counties are in the Grand Rapids Metro Area?
The Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood metro area covers 5 counties. The five largest by population are Grand Rapids, Ottawa County, Montcalm County, Ionia County, Barry County.
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About this data
All figures come from official U.S. government sources. Metro-area averages are population-weighted across constituent counties using Census ACS population estimates.