In Grand Rapids, a typical home is worth $244,500 and typical rent is $1,266 a month. Compared with all of Kent County, typical household income is 16% lower, the typical home value is 16% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 16 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $239,615 to $303,937.
Typical rent
$1,602a month
▲ 4.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,274 to $1,602.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Grand Rapids is in Kent County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Kent County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
54% of households in Grand Rapids own their home, against 70% in Kent County.
2
The typical household income in Grand Rapids is $69,108,16% less than in Kent County as a whole ($82,631).
3
The typical home in Grand Rapids is worth $244,500,16% less than in Kent County as a whole ($289,900).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Grand Rapids
What homes there are in Grand Rapids, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Michigan
United States
Kind of home: Grand Rapids and its comparisons
Measure
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Michigan
United States
Detached house
56%
65%
72%
61%
Attached house
5%
7%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
16%
7%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
22%
18%
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
4%
5%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Grand Rapids, but it weighs less than in Kent County: 56% against 65%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Michigan
United States
Year built: Grand Rapids and its comparisons
Measure
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Michigan
United States
Before 1960
60%
33%
36%
26%
1960–1979
16%
21%
26%
24%
1980–1999
13%
25%
22%
25%
2000–2009
5%
12%
10%
14%
2010 or later
6%
10%
6%
11%
Homes in Grand Rapids are older: the typical year built is 1953; in Kent County, 1977.
Homes in Grand Rapids are smaller: 54% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Kent County, 64%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K6%
$100K–$200K24%
$200K–$300K39%
$300K–$500K26%
$500K–$750K4%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M1%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Grand Rapids and its comparisons
Measure
Grand Rapids
Under $100K
6%
$100K–$200K
24%
$200K–$300K
39%
$300K–$500K
26%
$500K–$750K
4%
$750K–$1M
1%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA loan limit for Kent County is $541,287, and about 96% of owner-occupied homes in Grand Rapids are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $5009%
$500–$99921%
$1,000–$1,49936%
$1,500–$1,99923%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,630
$2,000–$2,4998%
$2,500–$2,9992%
$3,000 or more1%
Monthly rent with utilities: Grand Rapids and its comparisons
Measure
Grand Rapids
Under $500
9%
$500–$999
21%
$1,000–$1,499
36%
$1,500–$1,999
23%
$2,000–$2,499
8%
$2,500–$2,999
2%
$3,000 or more
1%
By rent, most homes in Grand Rapids cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,630): about 72%.
With a mortgage
$1,393 a month
Kent County: $1,603 a month
Without a mortgage
$511 a month
Kent County: $618 a month
Owners with a mortgage
66%
Kent County: 63%
In Grand Rapids, 66% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,393 a month, against $1,603 in Kent County. Without one it drops to $511.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Grand Rapids+71%
Kent County+67%
Michigan+50%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Grand Rapids+37%
Kent County+38%
Michigan+30%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Grand Rapids+38%
Kent County+31%
Michigan+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Grand Rapids and its comparisons
Measure
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Michigan
United States
Typical home value
+71%
+67%
+50%
+53%
Typical rent
+37%
+38%
+30%
+33%
Typical household income
+38%
+31%
+28%
+29%
The typical home value in Grand Rapids rose 71% since 2015–2019, more than in Kent County (67%).
Rents in Grand Rapids rose at about the same pace as in Kent County: 37% since 2015–2019, against 38%.
While home values in Grand Rapids changed +71% and rent +37%, the typical household income rose 38%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Grand Rapids and its comparisons
Measure
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Michigan
United States
Rental vacancy
4.4%
4.3%
5.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.3%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
2.3%
1.9%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.38
2.54
2.42
2.53
Drive alone
69%
73%
74%
69%
Carpool
8%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
3%
2%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
5%
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
14%
14%
14%
15%
Other means
1%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Open rentals in Grand Rapids look like those in Kent County: the rental vacancy rate is 4.4%.
More than one person per room: that is how 2.3% of households in Grand Rapids live, near the figure in Kent County (1.9%).
Households in Grand Rapids are smaller: 2.38 people on average; in Kent County, 2.54.
The car rules in Grand Rapids: 69% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Grand Rapids?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Grand Rapids, worth $244,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 35% of the typical household income in Grand Rapids, which is $69,108 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $87,607 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Kent County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Grand Rapids. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $8,558 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,044
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$240,071
Total interest
$345,406
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,129 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,613 a month
Tight
$1,613 to $2,073 a month
Your payment · 35%
Hard
more than $2,073 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Grand Rapids ($69,108 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,626
Property tax
$208
Home insurance
$102
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$108
You need at least $8,558 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,044; principal and interest $1,626.
The city and its county
Grand Rapids and Kent County
Grand Rapids is in Kent County, Michigan. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Grand Rapids
Map of Kent County, Michigan, with Grand Rapids marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Other cities with a page
Grand Rapids's own numbers
Typical home value
$244,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,266
Typical yearly household income
$69,108
Households that own their home
54%
Effective property tax rate
1.02%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Kent County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,630
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+60%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Kent County.
A typical home in Grand Rapids is worth $244,500: 16% below the county and 6% above Michigan. With the typical household income in Grand Rapids ($69,108 a year), a typical home costs 3.5 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Grand Rapids3.5 years
Kent3.5 years
Michigan3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Kent County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Kent County rose 130% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Kent County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Kent County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +8.6% +8.6% 2016
2017: +9.0% +9.0% 2017
2018: +8.8% +8.8% 2018
2019: +6.6% +6.6% 2019
2020: +4.3% +4.3% 2020
2021: +14.3% +14.3% 2021
2022: +15.7% +15.7% 2022
2023: +9.0% +9.0% 2023
2024: +6.3% +6.3% 2024
2025: +4.5% +4.5% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Kent County, Michigan and the United States
Period
County
Michigan
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.5%
+4.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+60%
+52%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+130%
+97%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Grand Rapids next to Kent County, Michigan and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Grand Rapids$244,500
Kent$289,900
Michigan$231,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Grand Rapids$1,266
Kent$1,243
Michigan$1,129
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Grand Rapids$69,108
Kent$82,631
Michigan$72,875
United States$80,734
See the full table
Grand Rapids next to Kent County and Michigan
Measure
Grand Rapids
Kent County
Michigan
U.S.
Typical home value
$244,500 ▼16% below the county
$289,900
$231,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,266
$1,243
$1,129
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$69,108 ▼16% below the county
$82,631
$72,875
$80,734
Households that own their home
54% ▼16 points below the county
70%
73%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,493 ▼23% below the county
$3,217
$2,904
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.02% ▼0.09 points below the county
1.11%
1.25%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
49%
49%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Kent County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Grand Rapids
For a typical $244,500 home in Grand Rapids, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Grand Rapids's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,044a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$8,558
Cash to close
$15,893
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $108
Conventional, 5% down$1,999a month
Down payment
$12,225
Cash to close
$19,560
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $116
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,635a month
Down payment
$48,900
Cash to close
$56,235
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,861a month
Down payment
$36,675
Cash to close
$44,010
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Grand Rapids
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,044
$8,558
$240,071
7.18%
FHA MIP · $108
$15,893
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,999
$12,225
$232,275
7.18%
PMI · $116
$19,560
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,635
$48,900
$195,600
7.18%
None
$56,235
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,861
$36,675
$207,825
8.18%
None
$44,010
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Grand Rapids is $1,266 a month: about the same as the county. In Grand Rapids, 49% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Kent County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,630 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $31.35 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Kent County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,306
$25.12
$52,240
1 bedroom
$1,365
$26.25
$54,600
2 bedrooms
$1,630
$31.35
$65,200
3 bedrooms
$2,113
$40.63
$84,520
4 bedrooms
$2,417
$46.48
$96,680
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Grand Rapids
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Grand Rapids has 5 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,600 in 49507 to $1,790 in 49506.
3 of the 5 are above the fair market rent for Kent County ($1,630).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 5 ZIP codes of Grand Rapids, beside the one for Kent County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,600 in 49507 to $1,790 in 49506. 3 of the 5 are above the fair market rent for Kent County ($1,630).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,630
Lowest: $1,600 (49507)Highest: $1,790 (49506)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Grand Rapids, fiscal year 2027.
49503
$1,410
$1,470
$1,760
$2,280
$2,610
49504
$1,300
$1,360
$1,620
$2,100
$2,400
49505
$1,390
$1,450
$1,730
$2,240
$2,570
49506
$1,430
$1,500
$1,790
$2,320
$2,650
49507
$1,280
$1,340
$1,600
$2,070
$2,370
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
49503 $1,760$2,280
49504 $1,620$2,100
49505 $1,730$2,240
49506 $1,790$2,320
49507 $1,600$2,070
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Grand Rapids when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 5 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Kent County; 2 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Grand Rapids or Kent County. The ones below are statewide in Michigan: they work in Grand Rapids the same as in the rest of the state.
Michigan state agency loan of up to $10,000, with no interest and no monthly payments, for the down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses; it goes with MSHDA's MI Home Loan mortgage and is repaid in certain cases, such as when you pay off the first mortgage, sell or refinance the home, or no longer live in it.Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
Michigan state authority certificate that lets you take 20% of the interest you pay each year on your mortgage off your federal taxes, for the life of the loan; you apply with an approved lender before you buy.Offered by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Grand Rapids, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
IC
Iccf Community Homes
415 Martin Luther King Jr St SE Ste 100, Grand Rapids · 1 miles away · Spanish
No legal help resource on our list is for Grand Rapids or Kent County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Grand Rapids and all of Kent County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Grand Rapids?
The typical home value in Grand Rapids is $244,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Kent County it is $289,900.
How much does it cost to rent in Grand Rapids?
Typical rent in Grand Rapids is $1,266 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Kent County is $1,630.
What is the FHA loan limit in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids uses the FHA limit for all of Kent County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Grand Rapids?
The typical homeowner in Grand Rapids pays $2,493 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.02% of the home’s value; in Kent County, the rate is 1.11%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Grand Rapids?
There are 5 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Kent County. 2 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
