Cost of Living in Big Rapids, MI - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,009 (excluding rent), and $2,528 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,502 (excluding rent), and $4,726 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.75 $15.75

$12.2 $12.2

$35.57 $35.57

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.2 $76.2

$50.8 $50.8

$102 $102

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.21 $8.21

$12.32 $12.32

Cappuccino

$4.64 $4.64

$3.42 $3.42

$6.84 $6.84

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.01 $2.01

$3.01 $3.01

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.97 $1.97

$2.46 $2.46

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.05 $6.05

$8.07 $8.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.08 $6.08

$5.06 $5.06

$8.1 $8.1

Milk (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.72 $0.72

$0.9 $0.9

White Bread (500g)

$3.32 $3.32

$2.67 $2.67

$4.48 $4.48

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.23 $2.23

$6.7 $6.7

Eggs

$2.69 $2.69

$1.82 $1.82

$3.04 $3.04

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.89 $16.89

$10.41 $10.41

$31.27 $31.27

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.94 $9.94

$5.22 $5.22

$17.46 $17.46

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.95 $13.95

$6.54 $6.54

$21.77 $21.77

Apples (1kg)

$3.44 $3.44

$2.91 $2.91

$8.76 $8.76

Banana (1kg)

$0.58 $0.58

$2.14 $2.14

Oranges (1kg)

$4.6 $4.6

$2.25 $2.25

$6.76 $6.76

Tomato (1kg)

$5.17 $5.17

$2.22 $2.22

$7.95 $7.95

Potato (1kg)

$2.19 $2.19

$1.07 $1.07

$4.3 $4.3

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.09 $2.09

$6.74 $6.74

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.02 $1.02

$3.04 $3.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.42 $1.42

$3.67 $3.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.83 $9.83

$8.84 $8.84

$12.77 $12.77

Wine (Bottle)

$13.7 $13.7

$10.15 $10.15

$15.22 $15.22

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.58 $1.58

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.8 $2.8

$1.95 $1.95

$4.88 $4.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.23 $1.23

$1.96 $1.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.52 $23.52

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.93 $2.93

$4.88 $4.88

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.88 $26.88

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$0.79 $0.79

$1.06 $1.06

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.1K $26.1K

$23.3K $23.3K

$35.8K $35.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.2K $24.2K

$26.4K $26.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$160 $160

$127 $127

$232 $232

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$48.28 $48.28

$39.71 $39.71

$74.5 $74.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.7 $68.7

$40.36 $40.36

$131 $131

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.41 $42.41

$17.26 $17.26

$49.31 $49.31

Cinema Ticket

$12.4 $12.4

$11.91 $11.91

$14.88 $14.88

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,970 $1,970

$1,529 $1,529

$2,446 $2,446

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$20.3K $20.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.5 $53.5

$11.88 $11.88

$79.2 $79.2

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.34 $34.34

$19.62 $19.62

$49.06 $49.06

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.2 $86.2

$81.2 $81.2

$112 $112

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$100 $100

$69.4 $69.4

$149 $149

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,587 $1,587

$1,189 $1,189

$1,840 $1,840

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,353 $1,353

$1,000 $1,000

$1,500 $1,500

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,624 $2,624

$1,995 $1,995

$2,993 $2,993

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,234 $2,234

$1,709 $1,709

$2,513 $2,513

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,869 $2,869

$2,128 $2,128

$2,869 $2,869

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,548 $2,548

$2,074 $2,074

$2,548 $2,548

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.68

7.11

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 22, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Big Rapids, MI - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared to larger metropolitan hubs, Cost of Living in Big Rapids, MI, United States generally feels more approachable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll find housing options that lean toward modest rents or family homes, with groceries and dining offering good value when you compare to bigger cities. Seasonal costs shift: winter heating is a predictable expense, while summer activities tend to be affordable. Overall, you trade urban density for a slower pace, practical amenities, and a shorter daily commute. Tip: plan with off-peak dining and seasonal chores to stretch your budget.

Knowing the Big Rapids, MI, United States living cost helps you set expectations for a walkable town with a compact downtown, where student-friendly cafes, grocery stores, and farmers markets cluster together. Housing tends to offer practical value in smaller apartment layouts or older homes, with options that are easier on utilities than big-city high-rises. For meals, you’ll find affordable takeout and home-cooking staples; weekly farmers markets can trim grocery bills. Transit is easy for errands, and cycling or short drives cover most needs. Tip: build a simple monthly plan that tracks essentials and a small buffer.

Quality of life in Big Rapids comes from a mix of outdoors, community events, and a smaller-town rhythm that suits certain work styles. Budgeting frameworks work best when you separate needs from nice-to-haves: housing, utilities, groceries, transit, and occasional entertainment. Seasonal shifts influence energy use and leisure choices; winters can favor indoor activities and warm beverages, summers invite riverfront walks and outdoor markets. Neighborhood fit often means choosing near Ferris State University for access to services or closer to the river for walks and cafes. Tip: try a 6-week trial move or sublet in a couple of neighborhoods to feel the vibe before signing a longer lease.