East Grand Rapids 84 Exceptional
East Grand Rapids Livability #33 ranked city in Michigan#672 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in East Grand Rapids

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

What's it like Living in East Grand Rapids?

East Grand Rapids is a mid-sized city located in the state of Michigan. The city has a population of 12,215 people. East Grand Rapids has a population density of 4,172 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. The majority of East Grand Rapids residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you are looking for a family friendly city, East Grand Rapids might be a good fit as 76% of the population over 15 years old are married, and 60% have kids who are 18 years old or younger. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in East Grand Rapids will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in East Grand Rapids, Michigan could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in East Grand Rapids and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, employment, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 85 out of 100, East Grand Rapids is ranked #437 in the United States and #21 in Michigan. Compared to the US average, East Grand Rapids ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that East Grand Rapids also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. East Grand Rapids scores well for crime (A+) and education (A+) East Grand Rapids does not fare well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (D-). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 61 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that East Grand Rapids boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

The unemployment rate in East Grand Rapids has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.5%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. East Grand Rapids excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that East Grand Rapids meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in East Grand Rapids. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in East Grand Rapids are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in East Grand Rapids come in at $695,047, which is 194.7% higher than the Michigan average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In East Grand Rapids, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 6.2% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around East Grand Rapids

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      East Grand Rapids transportation information

      Statistic East Grand Rapids Michigan National
      Average one way commute20min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.2%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.1%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.2%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.8%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home14.5%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The East Grand Rapids, MI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.