Kentwood 73 Excellent
Kentwood Livability #216 ranked city in Michigan#5,388 ranked city in the USARanks better than 81% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Kentwood

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Schools Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.

What's it like Living in Kentwood?

Kentwood, Michigan is a moderately-sized city with a population of 53,236 people. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Kentwood will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 19 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Kentwood, Michigan. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Kentwood and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, education and other important metrics.

Kentwood, MI receives 73/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #198 in Michigan and #4,801 in the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, Kentwood has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A+), education (A-) and housing (A+). Kentwood does not do well for the following: amenities (F) and crime (D). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Kentwood has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Kentwood real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Kentwood. Median real estate prices in Kentwood come in at $298,216, which is 26.5% higher than the Michigan average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Kentwood, the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 12.5% higher than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kentwood

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Kentwood?

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      Kentwood transportation information

      Statistic Kentwood Michigan National
      Average one way commute19min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.7%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.3%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home5.1%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Kentwood, 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.