How much does it cost to rent in Grand Rapids, MI?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Grand Rapids, MI is $1,627. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Grand Rapids cheaper than other Michigan cities?

Grand Rapids falls in the middle range for Michigan, ranking #37 out of 95 cities at $1,627/mo.

When was Grand Rapids rent data last updated?

Grand Rapids rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MI

Grand Rapids

Name: Average Rent Prices in Grand Rapids, MI
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 198,535·37th most expensive in Michigan·Rental market data updated monthly for Grand Rapids, MI

Median rent (all units)

$1,627/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.9%

vs US Median

-$338

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Grand Rapids · $1,627

More affordable than 67% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

65/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Grand Rapids's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,627/mo

Expected by trend

$1,762/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Grand Rapids's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,190

1 BR

$1,234

2 BR

$1,476

3 BR

$1,924

4 BR+

$2,106

Research median

$1,476/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$19,524/yr

At $1,627/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.3% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Grand Rapids, MI is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 41.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

198,535

Median income

$69,108

Median age

32.3

Renters

46%

Age distribution

21%

33.9%

22.6%

12.9%

Under 1821%

18–3433.9%

35–5422.6%

55–649.6%

65+12.9%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

60.2%

18%

16.3%

White60.2%

Black18%

Hispanic16.3%

Asian2.8%

Other2.7%

Education (25+)

21.6%

26.3%

41.6%

No HS diploma10.5%

HS diploma21.6%

Some college26.3%

Bachelor's+41.6%

Housing tenure

54%

46%

Owner54%

Renter46%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Grand Rapids, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,211 → $1,627

up 34.4%

Income

$55,385 → $69,108

up 24.8%

Population

197,858 → 198,535

up 0.3%

Renter share

44.5% → 46%

+1.5 pts

Bachelor's+

38.8% → 41.6%

+2.8 pts

Median age

31.5 → 32.3

+0.8 yrs

The median rent in Grand Rapids, MI stood at $1,211 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,627, reflecting a 34.4% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $69,108 today, compared with $55,385 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 46% of households, compared with 44.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 41.6% of adults here, versus 38.8% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Grand Rapids

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View Grand Rapids rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Grand Rapids on your salary?

At $1,627/mo, how Grand Rapids rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $90,701/yr · Rent = 21.5% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $64,397/yr · Rent = 30.3% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $74,179/yr · Rent = 26.3% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $132,586/yr · Rent = 14.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $169,411/yr · Rent = 11.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $60,298/yr · Rent = 32.4% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $54,442/yr · Rent = 35.9% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $67,104/yr · Rent = 29.1% income

affordable

By apartment size

Grand Rapids rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Grand Rapids. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Grand Rapids

About renting in Grand Rapids, MI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Grand Rapids is $1,627/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,190/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,476/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,234/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,924/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($69,108/yr), Grand Rapids ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Grand Rapids an affordable city for renters?

Grand Rapids is considered affordable for renters. At $1,627/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($69,108/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Grand Rapids falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Grand Rapids?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,627/mo in Grand Rapids. The local median household income is $69,108/yr, meaning the typical Grand Rapids household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Grand Rapids?

Rent in Grand Rapids has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Grand Rapids neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Grand Rapids are 49504 ($1,473/mo), 49507 ($1,536/mo), and 49503 ($1,539/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Grand Rapids is $1,627/mo.

How does Grand Rapids rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Grand Rapids is middle-of-the-pack for Michigan for rent, ranking #37 out of 95 tracked cities at $1,627/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Grand Rapids?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Grand Rapids ($1,627/mo): Northview ($1,340/mo), Walker ($1,531/mo), Wyoming ($1,607/mo).

What percentage of Grand Rapids residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46% of Grand Rapids households are renters, while 54% are owner-occupied. Grand Rapids leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Grand Rapids rent compare to the national average?

Grand Rapids's median rent of $1,627/mo is $338 (17%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #37 out of 95 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,627/mo, rent takes ~28% of Grand Rapids's median household income ($69,108/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Grand Rapids 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.25%

Run the Grand Rapids affordability calculator →

Nearby cities