Is Grand Rapids on the List of the 150 Best Places to Live?

The U.S. News & World Report has put together their list of the 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2022-2023. A total of six Michigan cities are on that list, but did Grand Rapids make the cut?

Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor was the highest ranked Michigan city on the list. They came in at #11, moving up one spot from last year's ranking.

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo came in at #40. That is an increase of 11 places. In 2021, Kalamazoo ranked at #51.

Lansing

Lansing ranked 65th on the list of the 150 Best Places to Live. Lansing is the only Michigan city to actually drop down in ranking -- but not by much. Last year Lansing was ranked at #64, so they only fell one position.

Detroit

Detroit was #112 on the list. Detroit continues to rebound and climb up the list, moving up 15 places from #127 in 2021.

Flint

Despite the problems they have had with their water over the years, Flint made the list at #131. Flint also made the list in 2021 at 144th, so they have jumped up 13 spots.

Grand Rapids

For those of us that live in Grand Rapids, we know that it should be in the list. The city did indeed make the list, finding themselves in the top 20! Grand Rapids ranked 16th on the list of the 150 Best Places to Live in the United States. Grand Rapids also ranked 34th on last year's list. That's a gain of 18 spots!

The report says this about Grand Rapids:

A scenic spot perched on the Grand River – Michigan's longest waterway – Grand Rapids has evolved from its 19th-century roots as a hub of furniture production to the modern-day metro area that is attracting college students and young families with its healthy job market, affordable housing and outdoor recreational activities.

Grand Rapids also ranks
#2 in Best Places to Live in Michigan
#11 in Cheapest Places to Live
#18 in Best Places to Live for Quality of Life
#28 in Best Places to Retire

Where are the Top Cities?

The top five cities in the 150 Best Places to Live list are:

#1 Huntsville, Alabama
#2 Colorado Springs, Colorado
#3 Green Bay, Wisconsin
#4 Boulder, Colorado
#5 San Jose, California

How were the Cities Ranked?

Cities were ranked by looking at their Job Market Index, Value Index (how comfortably a resident can live within their means), Quality of Life Index, Desirability Index, and Net Migration (are people moving to or away from the state). You can read more about the exact methodology here.