Things to know before moving from West Virginia to Grand Rapids, MI

Cost of living: West Virginia vs Grand Rapids, MI

West Virginia Grand Rapids
Average rent cost $899 $1,659
Average home value $168,172 $328,256
Average income (per capita) $55,217 $63,299
Unemployment rate 4% 4%
State income tax 7% 4%
  • Rent is about 85% more expensive in Grand Rapids than in West Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 95% higher in Grand Rapids than in West Virginia.
  • The average income is about 15% higher in Grand Rapids than in West Virginia.
  • Grand Rapids has a higher unemployment rate than West Virginia by about 2%.
  • Income taxes are 35% lower in Grand Rapids than in West Virginia.

How life is different in Grand Rapids from West Virginia

Grand Rapids West Virginia
Population 198,893 1,782,959
Political leaning Democratic 48.3-49.7 Republican 69-30
Summer high 82ºF 83ºF
Winter low 17ºF 21ºF
Annual rain 37" 45"
Annual snow 64" 33"
Crime index 44.23 17.47
  • The population of Grand Rapids is approximately 89% lower than the population of West Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, Grand Rapids voted Democratic and West Virginia voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Grand Rapids is 82ºF and in West Virginia, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Grand Rapids reaches the temperature of 17ºF and West Virginia gets down to 21ºF.
  • You can expect about 37 inches of annual rainfall in Grand Rapids vs 45 inches of rainfall in West Virginia.
  • In Grand Rapids, it snows about 64 inches annually vs 33 inches of snow in West Virginia.
  • Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate than West Virginia with a crime index of 44.23 vs 17.47.

Things to do in Grand Rapids

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Grand Rapids.

Museums in Grand Rapidstoggle

  • Gerald R. Ford Museum
  • Grand Rapids Public Museum
  • Grand Rapids Children's Museum
  • Grand Rapids Art Museum
  • Urban Institute For Contemporary Arts
  • Michigan Masonic Museum and Library
  • LaFontsee Galleries

Parks in Grand Rapidstoggle

  • Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
  • Gerald R. Ford Airport Viewing Park
  • Blandford Nature Center Richmond Park
  • Riverside Park
  • Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park
  • Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens
  • Huff Park
  • Provin Trails Park

Sports Teams in Grand Rapidstoggle

  • Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

Universities in Grand Rapidstoggle

  • Aquinas College
  • Calvin University
  • Cornerstone University
  • Grace Christian University
  • Kuyper College
  • Thomas M. Cooley Law School
  • Northwood University
  • Grand Rapids Community College
  • Grand Valley State University
  • Ferris State University
  • Michigan State University
  • College of Human Medicine

Other considerations when moving to Grand Rapids, MI

  • 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Michigan does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Michigan. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from West Virginia to Grand Rapids take?

The time frame for a move from West Virginia to Grand Rapids, MI, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in West Virginia, the longer the drive time to Grand Rapids will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Grand Rapids from West Virginia can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from West Virginia to Grand Rapids?

Because of the 570-mile move, it’s best to book your move from West Virginia to Grand Rapids as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Grand Rapids, MI?

With the summer highs of 82ºF and the winter lows of 17ºF, most people move to Grand Rapids from West Virginia during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Grand Rapids during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources