Factors influencing moving costs from Amarillo to Grand Rapidstoggle

The cost of Amarillo movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Amarillo to Grand Rapids can be as low as $1,525 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 8,660.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Amarillo, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $897 to $2,199. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Amarillo to Grand Rapids

Moving from Amarillo to Grand Rapids comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Grand Rapids is generally more expensive than Amarillo, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Amarillo Grand Rapids
Average rent cost $1,200 $1,659
Average home value $193,956 $328,256
Average income (per capita) $61,333 $63,299
Cost of living (single person) $1,911 $5,333
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,721 $7,160
Unemployment rate 4.9% 4.3%
Sales tax 8.25% 6.0%
State income tax 0.0% 4.25%
  • Rent prices in Grand Rapids are 38% higher than in Amarillo, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Amarillo.
    Home prices in Grand Rapids are 69.2% higher than in Amarillo.
  • Income in Grand Rapids is 3.2% higher than in Amarillo, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Grand Rapids include Meijer, Spectrum Health Hospitals, and Universal Forest Products.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Grand Rapids, since the cost of living for a single person in Grand Rapids is 179.1% higher than in Amarillo. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Grand Rapids, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Grand Rapids is 51.7% higher than in Amarillo.
  • The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids is 12.24% lower than in Amarillo.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Grand Rapids, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Grand Rapids are 27.27% lower than in Amarillo.
  • State income taxes in Grand Rapids are 4.25% higher than in Amarillo.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $8,372.06 in Grand Rapids to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Amarillo.

How life is different in Amarillo vs. Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Amarillo
Population 198,893 308,297
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 2
Walkability score 56 40
Bike friendliness score 52 42
Crime Index 44.23 25.31
Safety Index 55.77 74.69
Air Quality Good Good
  • Grand Rapids's population is about 35% less than Amarillo.
  • Grand Rapids's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Amarillo's lower score of 2.
  • Grand Rapids is more walkable than Amarillo with a score of 56 out of 100 vs Amarillo's 40 out of 100.
  • With a score of 52 out of 100, Grand Rapids is more bike-friendly than Amarillo, which has a score of 42 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
  • Grand Rapids's crime rate is higher than Amarillo with a score of 44.23 compared to Amarillo's 25.31. This means that Grand Rapids neighborhoods are safer than 44.23% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Amarillo neighborhoods are safer than 25.31%.
  • Grand Rapids is considered to be less safe than Amarillo with a score of 55.77 vs Amarillo's 74.69.
  • Air quality in Grand Rapids is good, and in Amarillo it's good.

Other things to consider for your Amarillo 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: Itโ€™s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโ€™s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
  • Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
  • 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโ€™s license in Michigan, visit the state's public utilities commission
  • Moving permits: While Michigan doesnโ€™t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Grand Rapids without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

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

  • Heritage Hill
  • South Hill
  • Heartside-Downtown
  • East Hills
  • Midtown

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Eastown
  • Fulton Heights
  • South East End
  • Millbrook
  • Heritage Hill

Things to do in Grand Rapids

After settling into your new Michigan home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Grand Rapids has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Grand Rapids is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 cityโ€™s Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Gerald R. Ford Airport Viewing Park, Blandford Nature Center Richmond Park, and Riverside Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Grand Rapids?

The best time to move from Amarillo 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 Amarillo.

When is the cheapest time to move from Amarillo to Grand Rapids?

Because most people are moving from Amarillo to Grand Rapids in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Amarillo to Grand Rapids take?

The 1,200-mile move from Amarillo, TX, to Grand Rapids, MI, takes two to eight days. Some Amarillo movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Grand Rapids.

Helpful moving resources