Big Rapids is a small town of 7,915 in Michigan, with a median household income of $36,058
and a 7.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Big Rapids stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Big Rapids is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Big Rapids city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 91.7
Big Rapids's overall cost of living index is 91.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Big Rapids costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Big Rapids, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$130,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$732
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
40.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$36,058
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Big Rapids's violent crime rate is 363.8 per 100,000 residents
— 4% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
363.8 /100k
Property Crime
1455.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Big Rapids is served primarily by Big Rapids Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.8:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Big Rapids, MI
National Avg
School District
Big Rapids Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Big Rapids sees average highs of 28.2°F in January
and 81.3°F in July,
with 37.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 61.3 inches of snow per year.
Big Rapids's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Big Rapids roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $130,500 and median rent is $732/month.
Big Rapids's violent crime rate is 363.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1455.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Big Rapids are operated by Big Rapids Public Schools.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.8:1. 29.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Big Rapids, MI has a population of 7,915, a median household income of $36,058, and an unemployment rate of 7.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Big Rapids averages 28.2°F in January and 81.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.9 inches
with about 61.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Big Rapids, MI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 49307.
The population of Big Rapids, Michigan is 7,915 with a median age of 22.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Big Rapids: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $130,500, median household income $36,058, crime index 85 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Big Rapids side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
