Best suburbs in Grand Rapids
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- Population: 24,984
- Median home value: $190,800
- Median rental price: $1,134
- Top schools nearby: Mona Shores High School (grade A), Lake Hills Elementary School (grade A−), Lakeshore Middle School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $190,800
- Median rental price: $1,134
- Top schools nearby: Mona Shores High School (grade A), Lake Hills Elementary School (grade A−), Lakeshore Middle School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#19. Norton Shores, Michigan
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- Population: 9,631
- Median home value: $361,000
- Median rental price: $1,078
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $361,000
- Median rental price: $1,078
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#18. Jamestown Charter Township, Michigan
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- Population: 5,238
- Median home value: $367,300
- Median rental price: $1,317
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), West Ottawa High School Campus (grade A), Black River Public School Middle/High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Holland Christian High School (grade B), Calvary Schools of Holland (grade B−), Unity Christian High School (grade B−)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $367,300
- Median rental price: $1,317
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), West Ottawa High School Campus (grade A), Black River Public School Middle/High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Holland Christian High School (grade B), Calvary Schools of Holland (grade B−), Unity Christian High School (grade B−)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#17. Port Sheldon Township, Michigan
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- Population: 4,581
- Median home value: $235,800
- Median rental price: $739
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Holmes Elementary School (grade A), Jeffers Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Grand Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Academy (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $235,800
- Median rental price: $739
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Holmes Elementary School (grade A), Jeffers Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Grand Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Academy (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: A−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#16. Crockery Township, Michigan
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- Population: 10,961
- Median home value: $229,000
- Median rental price: $920
- Top schools nearby: Holmes Elementary School (grade A), Jeffers Elementary School (grade A), Spring Lake Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $229,000
- Median rental price: $920
- Top schools nearby: Holmes Elementary School (grade A), Jeffers Elementary School (grade A), Spring Lake Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#15. Grand Haven, Michigan
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- Population: 7,633
- Median home value: $244,300
- Median rental price: $1,175
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), The Potter's House High School (grade A−), Catholic Central High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $244,300
- Median rental price: $1,175
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), The Potter's House High School (grade A−), Catholic Central High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#14. Hudsonville, Michigan
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- Population: 14,385
- Median home value: $406,700
- Median rental price: $1,134
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Middle School (grade A), Knapp Forest Elementary School (grade A), Chandler Woods Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Catholic Central High School (grade A−), West Catholic High School (grade B+), NorthPointe Christian School (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
- Median home value: $406,700
- Median rental price: $1,134
- Top schools nearby: Eastern Middle School (grade A), Knapp Forest Elementary School (grade A), Chandler Woods Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Catholic Central High School (grade A−), West Catholic High School (grade B+), NorthPointe Christian School (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#13. Cannon Township, Michigan
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- Population: 54,042
- Median home value: $227,000
- Median rental price: $1,123
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Northern High School (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $227,000
- Median rental price: $1,123
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Northern High School (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#12. Kentwood, Michigan
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- Population: 25,175
- Median home value: $246,000
- Median rental price: $1,066
- Top schools nearby: City Middle/High School (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $246,000
- Median rental price: $1,066
- Top schools nearby: City Middle/High School (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#11. Walker, Michigan
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- Population: 18,158
- Median home value: $308,600
- Median rental price: $1,196
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Black River Public School Middle/High School (grade A), Rosy Mound School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B), Zeeland Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $308,600
- Median rental price: $1,196
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Black River Public School Middle/High School (grade A), Rosy Mound School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B), Zeeland Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#10. Grand Haven Charter Township, Michigan
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- Population: 2,530
- Median home value: $263,800
- Median rental price: $705
- Top schools nearby: Holmes Elementary School (grade A), Jeffers Elementary School (grade A), Spring Lake Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $263,800
- Median rental price: $705
- Top schools nearby: Holmes Elementary School (grade A), Jeffers Elementary School (grade A), Spring Lake Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#9. Spring Lake, Michigan
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- Population: 11,937
- Median home value: $302,600
- Median rental price: $1,116
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), El Puente Elementary (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), The Potter's House High School (grade A−), Grand Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Academy (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $302,600
- Median rental price: $1,116
- Top schools nearby: Eagle Crest Charter Academy (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), El Puente Elementary (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), The Potter's House High School (grade A−), Grand Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Academy (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#8. Zeeland Charter Township, Michigan
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- Population: 6,988
- Median home value: $337,700
- Median rental price: $982
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A), El Puente Elementary (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $337,700
- Median rental price: $982
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A), El Puente Elementary (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#7. Byron Center, Michigan
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- Population: 1,808
- Median home value: $282,400
- Median rental price: $1,020
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A), Vanguard Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), South Christian High School (grade B−), Zion Christian School (grade B−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $282,400
- Median rental price: $1,020
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A), Vanguard Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), South Christian High School (grade B−), Zion Christian School (grade B−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#6. Caledonia, Michigan
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- Population: 6,144
- Median home value: $260,100
- Median rental price: $1,079
- Top schools nearby: Chandler Woods Charter Academy (grade A), Walker Charter Academy (grade A), Parkside Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Catholic Central High School (grade A−), West Catholic High School (grade B+), Grand Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Academy (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
- Median home value: $260,100
- Median rental price: $1,079
- Top schools nearby: Chandler Woods Charter Academy (grade A), Walker Charter Academy (grade A), Parkside Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Catholic Central High School (grade A−), West Catholic High School (grade B+), Grand Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Academy (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#5. Rockford, Michigan
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- Population: 4,076
- Median home value: $220,800
- Median rental price: $1,302
- Top schools nearby: North Muskegon Middle School (grade A), North Muskegon Elementary School (grade A), North Muskegon High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $220,800
- Median rental price: $1,302
- Top schools nearby: North Muskegon Middle School (grade A), North Muskegon Elementary School (grade A), North Muskegon High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Muskegon Catholic Central School (grade A−), Western Michigan Christian High School (grade B+), Calvary Christian Schools (grade B)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#4. North Muskegon, Michigan
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- Population: 16,017
- Median home value: $226,800
- Median rental price: $1,016
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A), Chandler Woods Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $226,800
- Median rental price: $1,016
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A), Chandler Woods Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#3. Grandville, Michigan
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- Population: 28,425
- Median home value: $442,800
- Median rental price: $1,620
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Northern High School (grade A+), Ada Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $442,800
- Median rental price: $1,620
- Top schools nearby: Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Northern High School (grade A+), Ada Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#2. Forest Hills, Michigan
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- Population: 11,385
- Median home value: $451,900
- Median rental price: $1,700
- Top schools nearby: City Middle/High School (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $451,900
- Median rental price: $1,700
- Top schools nearby: City Middle/High School (grade A+), Cross Creek Charter Academy (grade A+), Excel Charter Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Michigan Lutheran High School (grade A), Grand Rapids Christian High School (grade A−), The Potter's House High School (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
#1. East Grand Rapids, Michigan
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