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Retirement community in Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Grand Rapids, Michigan Retirement Guide

49

Retirement Score

Grand Rapids, Michigan at a Glance

Median Home Price
$237,900
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; age-based pension deduction.
Avg January Low
17.9°F
Cost of Living Index
93.6 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
49 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Grand Rapids, Michigan, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
93.6 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$61,634High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Grand Rapids's cost of living is 6.400000000000006% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$237,900High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,276High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
54.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Grand Rapids using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$515

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$579

Median home price used: $237,900

Median rent reference: $1,276 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Grand Rapids, Michigan after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
23.8 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
23.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
46.1 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Grand Rapids scores 23.8 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Grand Rapids

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Grand Rapids →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; age-based pension deduction.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Michigan has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
81.8°FLow confidence
Avg January Low
17.9°FLow confidence
Annual Precipitation
38.3"Low confidence
Sunny Days / Year
242 daysLow confidence

With 242 sunny days a year and an average January low of 17.9°F, Grand Rapids offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
63.3 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
42.8 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
10.1 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
198,096High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
31.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
12.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
4.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
39.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
63.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
17.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
15.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
2.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Grand Rapids

What is the cost of living in Grand Rapids, Michigan for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 94, roughly 6% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $237,900.

Does Michigan tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Michigan residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; age-based pension deduction.

What is the climate like in Grand Rapids, Michigan?▾

Grand Rapids, Michigan has January average low around 18°F, July average high around 82°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Grand Rapids, Michigan?▾

Grand Rapids scores 24/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

FINANCIAL ADVISORY CORPORATION

Financial Advisor

CENTENNIAL SECURITIES COMPANY INC

Financial Advisor

ASPEN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.

Financial Advisor

+56 more financial advisors available

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