salaryRent is lower than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 14.9 minutes. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,920 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Michigan. It is number 67 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Big Rapids?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Big Rapids
| Size | Big Rapids | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,026 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $697 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,141 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,241 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,287 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Big Rapids overall?
Everyday prices in Michigan overall are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Big Rapids, so the Michigan figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Big Rapids
Life in Big Rapids
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Big Rapids?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $113 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $156,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,640 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Big Rapids, MI?
Renting in Big Rapids costs a median of about $1,198 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Big Rapids?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,920 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Big Rapids cheap or expensive?
Big Rapids is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.4% of the typical household income of $47,301. It ranks 67th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Big Rapids?
The median homeowner in Big Rapids pays $2,466 a year in property taxes, about 1.58% of the median home value.
Is Big Rapids more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Michigan are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Big Rapids?
The median home value in Big Rapids is $156,400, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
8,477 people live in Big Rapids. Numbers are typical (middle) values.