Grand Rapids, Michigan
Beer City USA with West Michigan charm
U.S. News (2025)
#36 Best Places to Live
Livability (2025)
#22 Top 100 Best Places to Live
WhereAtHome Score
73.4
Cout of 100
Overview
Grand Rapids has emerged as one of the Midwest's most livable mid-sized cities. Known for its craft beer scene and furniture manufacturing heritage, the city offers affordable housing, strong healthcare institutions, and proximity to Lake Michigan beaches. Downtown has seen significant revitalization with new restaurants and entertainment venues.
Key Highlights
- Beer City USA - exceptional craft brewery scene
- ArtPrize - world's largest art competition
- Close to Lake Michigan beaches
- Very affordable housing market
- Strong healthcare sector (Spectrum Health)
- Growing tech and creative industries
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Kent County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
82°F
Winter Low
18°F
Annual Rainfall
37"
Sunny Days
175
Amenities & Infrastructure
84+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
4 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
4 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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