Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Grand Rapids’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.
"Grand Rapids renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "They gave most categories above average scores."
Key findings in Grand Rapids include the following:
- Grand Rapids renters gave their city a B+ overall.
- The highest-rated categories for Grand Rapids were jobs and career opportunities, public transit and recreational activities, which all received A grades.
- The areas of concern to Grand Rapids renters are weather (C) and state and local taxes (B).
- Grand Rapids did relatively well compared to other cities in Michigan, including Detroit (F), but worse than Ann Arbor (A+).
- Grand Rapids did relatively well compared to other cities nationwide, including Chicago, IL (B-), Indianapolis, IN (C+) and New York, NY (C+).
- The top rated cities nationwide for renter satisfaction include Scottsdale, AZ, Irvine, CA, Boulder, CO and Ann Arbor, MI. The lowest rated cities include Tallahassee, FL, Stockton, CA, Dayton, OH, Detroit, MI and Newark, NJ.
Renters say:
- "There is plenty to do and good nightlife, but the neighborhood you live in matters. I live downtown and it can be hard to find parking and safety can be a concern." – Rebecca H.
- "Grand Rapids is a small city but has all the benefits of a larger one." – Anna L.
- "Love the opportunity for local growth but hate the crime rate and dirty streets." – Tiffany H.
- "I love that there’s lots to do in terms of activities and everything is no more than 20 minutes away. But there’s construction everywhere all year, and car insurance rates are unreasonably high for no reason." – Anon.
For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.
