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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $924 (excluding rent), and $2,407 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,946 (excluding rent), and $5,171 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.85 $17.85

$11.9 $11.9

$49.58 $49.58

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$70.3 $70.3

$60.2 $60.2

$151 $151

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.87 $10.87

$9.88 $9.88

$14.82 $14.82

Cappuccino

$4.88 $4.88

$3.08 $3.08

$11.31 $11.31

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

$2.63 $2.63

$2.05 $2.05

$4.09 $4.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.64 $1.64

$1.02 $1.02

$3.07 $3.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.06 $6.06

$4.04 $4.04

$12.12 $12.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.03 $7.03

$6.03 $6.03

$14.07 $14.07

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.71 $0.71

$1.43 $1.43

White Bread (500g)

$3.53 $3.53

$2.04 $2.04

$6.17 $6.17

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$2.16 $2.16

$10.9 $10.9

Eggs

$3.18 $3.18

$1.96 $1.96

$8.32 $8.32

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.41 $14.41

$4.42 $4.42

$26.53 $26.53

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.98 $11.98

$5.93 $5.93

$21.79 $21.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.88 $14.88

$7.95 $7.95

$39.42 $39.42

Apples (1kg)

$5.32 $5.32

$2.21 $2.21

$13.32 $13.32

Banana (1kg)

$1.32 $1.32

$0.98 $0.98

$4.36 $4.36

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$2.2 $2.2

$11.14 $11.14

Tomato (1kg)

$4.55 $4.55

$1.55 $1.55

$8.97 $8.97

Potato (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$0.87 $0.87

$4.44 $4.44

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$1.11 $1.11

$4.43 $4.43

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.1 $1.1

$4.42 $4.42

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.57 $2.57

$1.21 $1.21

$3.4 $3.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.24 $9.24

$6.16 $6.16

$20.53 $20.53

Wine (Bottle)

$15.08 $15.08

$9.05 $9.05

$22.12 $22.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.44 $1.44

$4.32 $4.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$1.66 $1.66

$6.98 $6.98

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.71 $1.71

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$47.84 $47.84

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.3 $3.3

$4.77 $4.77

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$3.07 $3.07

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.64 $28.64

$25.34 $25.34

$31.93 $31.93

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$0.8 $0.8

$1.37 $1.37

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

$24.5K $24.5K

$36.9K $36.9K

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

$24.3K $24.3K

$23.4K $23.4K

$27.7K $27.7K

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

$117 $117

$90.6 $90.6

$346 $346

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

$45.39 $45.39

$35.05 $35.05

$100 $100

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.3 $62.3

$40.72 $40.72

$112 $112

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.88 $33.88

$29.9 $29.9

$83.7 $83.7

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.37 $20.37

Cinema Ticket

$10.85 $10.85

$8.88 $8.88

$19.73 $19.73

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

$957 $957

$3,021 $3,021

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$20.7K $20.7K

$19.7K $19.7K

$44.8K $44.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.5 $64.5

$40.2 $40.2

$90.5 $90.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.36 $40.36

$30.27 $30.27

$75.7 $75.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95 $95

$49.4 $49.4

$124 $124

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$138 $138

$50.1 $50.1

$251 $251

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,922 $1,922

$1,771 $1,771

$3,035 $3,035

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,263 $1,263

$1,104 $1,104

$1,506 $1,506

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,197 $3,197

$2,498 $2,498

$4,496 $4,496

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,405 $2,405

$2,227 $2,227

$2,531 $2,531

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,074 $2,074

$1,994 $1,994

$2,229 $2,229

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,109 $2,109

$2,039 $2,039

$2,280 $2,280

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,872 $3,872

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

7.3

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

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

Grand Rapids tends to offer a friendly balance of value and access, especially if you scope beyond the biggest coastal hubs. You’ll find a range of housing options – from riverfront apartments to older homes in established neighborhoods – that often feel more affordable than many large metros. Food, services, and entertainment span casual to craft, letting you tailor your budget without sacrificing lifestyle. The Cost of Living in Grand Rapids, MI remains approachable for longer stays, with seasonal events and a strong local scene that adds value beyond rent. Neighborhood choice matters: walkable cores near the river or downtown typically deliver the best daily life. Tip: start with a neighborhood walk and test commute options.

Daily life here tends to be practical and approachable for a range of budgets. For housing, look at river-adjacent cores and established neighborhoods like Eastown or the West Side, where leases vary from studios to family-sized units and options can feel flexible. Grocery stores, markets, and a growing craft-food scene keep meals affordable and varied, with plenty of mid-range options. Public transit and bike lanes cover most of the city, while rideshares and car-sharing offer flexibility for weekend getaways. Grand Rapids, MI living cost becomes a handy reference as you estimate monthly needs and structure a work-travel routine. Tip: when searching, filter by walkability and commute time.

Quality of life here comes from a mix of practical planning and local flavor. Build a simple budgeting framework that separates fixed costs (rent, utilities) from variable ones (groceries, transit, entertainment) and leaves room for seasonal activities. In winter, prioritize cafés, libraries, and coworking spaces with heater-friendly hours; in summer, outdoor markets and river trails expand affordable options. Neighborhood fit hinges on your pace: Eastown and the near-downtown zones suit walkers and cyclists, while suburbs offer quiet that suits longer work sprints. Try short stays in a couple of pockets to test vibe, then commit to a cluster that supports your work style. Tip: map your must-dos to a realistic weekly routine.