Cost of Living in Kent County, Michigan
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Kent County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Kent County ranks #2,621 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 17%)
Sourced county brief
Kent County Median Home Value Reaches $289,900 in ACS Estimates
In Kent County, the median home value was estimated at $289,900, which is $92,607 above the Michigan unweighted county mean of $197,293. The median gross rent for the period was $1,243 per month, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $906. For renter-occupied units, the official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 29.6%. This official GRAPI is 0.7 percentage points higher than the Michigan unweighted county mean of 28.9%. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,206, while the unweighted county mean for the state was $918. The median renter-household income in the county was reported at $50,123. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Kent County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.6% of renter household income in Kent County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,243 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,206. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $49,720 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Michigan unweighted mean of county median rents is $906 per month. Kent County's $1,243 median is 37.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Kent County
Rent Burden
18.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,928
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.5%
of gross income
The median home in Kent County may be a stretch
Median home value is $289,900. Estimated monthly cost: $2,314 vs. your max of $1,928.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Kent County, Michigan?
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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