Best overall value
Local moving companies in New York City
- Roadway Moving : 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Dumbo Moving and Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Flatrate Moving: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- White Glove Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 38589
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1854436
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 36990
Years in Business: 18
DOT #: 1543241
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 32557
Years in Business: 33
DOT #: 488466
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 40244
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3066988
Alternate Names: Piece of Cake Moving & Storage LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 648262
Years in Business: 29
DOT #: 648262
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Key factors that influence moving costs from New York City to Grand Rapids
What to know before moving from New York City to Grand Rapids
Moving from New York City to Grand Rapids means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in New York City than in Grand Rapids, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how New York City compares to Grand Rapids so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| New York City | Grand Rapids | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $4,340 | $1,659 |
| Average home value | $752,778 | $328,256 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,058 | $63,299 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $5,683 | $5,333 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $15,081 | $7,160 |
| Unemployment rate | 11.2% | 4.3% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 10.9% | 4.25% |
- Rent prices in Grand Rapids are 62% lower than in New York City, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Grand Rapids.
Home prices in Grand Rapids are 56.4% lower than in New York City. - Income in Grand Rapids is 18.9% lower than in New York City, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Grand Rapids — including Meijer, Spectrum Health Hospitals, and Universal Forest Products — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Grand Rapids. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 6.2% lower than in New York City.
- A move to Grand Rapids can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 52.5% less than what it costs in New York City.
- The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids is 61.61% lower than in New York City.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Grand Rapids, since the city's sales taxes in Grand Rapids are 25.00% lower than in New York City.
- One perk of moving to Grand Rapids is paying less in state income taxes, which are 61.01% lower than in New York City.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,815.24 in Grand Rapids to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in New York City.
How life is different in New York City vs. Grand Rapids
| Grand Rapids | New York City | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,893 | 8,258,035 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 10 |
| Walkability score | 56 | 88 |
| Bike friendliness score | 52 | 69 |
| Crime Index | 44.23 | 50.83 |
| Safety Index | 55.77 | 49.17 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Grand Rapids might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 98% less than New York City.
- Getting around Grand Rapids without a car might be more difficult than in New York City. Grand Rapids has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas New York City is ranked 10. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Grand Rapids neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as New York City. Based on its score of 56 out of 100, Grand Rapids isn't as walkable as New York City, which has a score of 88 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Grand Rapids, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than New York City. While New York City has a bike-friendliness score of 69 out of 100, Grand Rapids earned a 52. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- Grand Rapids has a lower crime rate than New York City based on scores of 44.23 and New York City's 50.83, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Grand Rapids than in New York City, based on Grand Rapids's safety index of 55.77 versus 49.17 for New York City. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Grand Rapids and New York City is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your New York City vs. Grand Rapids move
- Weather: August, July and June are the most most advisable months to move in Grand Rapids, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Michigan, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Grand Rapids Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Grand Rapids
With your sights set on GR, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Grand Rapids.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Fulton Heights
- Heartside-Downtown
- East Hills
- Midtown
- Belknap Lookout
Best neighborhoods for families
- Eastgate
- Ottawa Hills
- Eastown
- North East Citizens Action
- East Hills
Things to do in Grand Rapids
Now that you've made the move to Michigan it's the perfect time to explore Grand Rapids From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Grand Rapids features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Grand Rapids Art Museum, and Urban Institute For Contemporary Arts.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Gerald R. Ford Airport Viewing Park, Blandford Nature Center Richmond Park, and Riverside Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from New York City to Grand Rapids?
The best time to move from New York City to Grand Rapids is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in New York City.
When is the cheapest time to move from New York City to Grand Rapids?
With many people choosing to move from New York City to Grand Rapids in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from New York City to Grand Rapids take?
The 745-mile move from New York City, NY, to Grand Rapids, MI, takes one to six days. Some New York City movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Grand Rapids.
