US Metro Real Estate Intelligence
Rankings/Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI

Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI

NeutralTier 1CBSA 24340Compare
Risk Rank: #77 of 273Month: 2026-08Score change (12m):↑ +5
56score
Composite risk percentile vs 273 metros (higher = higher risk)

Executive Summary

Grand Rapids's housing market shows average risk, ranking 77th of 273 metros. The market recently entered Hypersupply. Inventory levels are elevated, warranting monitoring. Inventory accumulating faster than demand — the market is shifting toward buyers.

Grand Rapids experienced a market correction from mid-2025 through mid-2025. Elevated inventory persists, suggesting the market hasn't fully normalized.

Inventory is elevated (+17% YoY) and days on market are up +3% — supply is building but not yet at stress levels.

Rent growth is roughly keeping pace with price appreciation, suggesting valuations are not stretched.

Cycle Phase

RecoveryExpansionHypersupplyRecession
1 month in current phase

Building activity may be outpacing demand absorption

20192020202120222023202420252026

Key Dynamics

Risk is primarily driven by price momentum and permit growth, while employment provides the most support.

Top Drivers

Price Momentump82
12-month HPI change
Permit Growthp62
YoY permit change
Migrationp61
Net AGI migration (risk inverted)

Market Signals

Inventory is elevated (+17% YoY) and days on market are up +3% — supply is building but not yet at stress levels.

Liquidity

Watch↑
Active Listings YoY
+17.3%p67
Days on Market YoY
+2.7%p53
Months in status1
Data through Aug 2026

Valuation

Balanced—
Rent vs. Price Growth
-0.2%p61
Months in status1
Data through Aug 2026Rent growth vs price growth (rent support). Note: Affordability and Valuation measure different structural dimensions and can diverge.
Factor Details
Lower riskHigher risk
Low RiskBelow AvgNeutralElevatedHigh Risk
Price MomentumHigh Risk
+3.8%p82

12-month HPI change — higher = overheating

Permit GrowthElevated
+7.7%p62

YoY permit change — higher = supply pressure

Permits per CapitaNeutral
3.45p42

Permits per 1,000 residents — higher = overbuilding risk

AffordabilityNeutral
0.30p51

Mortgage payment / income — higher = more burdened

EmploymentBelow Avg
+0.7%p39

12-month employment change (risk inverted)

MigrationElevated
-$6Kp61

Net AGI migration (risk inverted)

National Context

Credit Conditions

Credit Regime

Stable—

Oversupply with deteriorating transactions and no credit excuse. Supply-driven correction risk is elevated.

Bank Lending Standards
+0.0Normal
Rate Change (YoY)
+11 bpsNormal
Mortgage Risk Premium
+196 bpsElevated
Stable for 10 quartersData through 2026-Q3

Supply Pipeline

Supply Regime

Accumulating—

Supply pipeline is building up while credit remains available. New units are accumulating in the system — watch for delivery pressure in coming quarters.

Pipeline Ratio
0.89Elevated
Completion-Permit Divergence
-19.2 ppNormal
Accumulating for 6 quartersData through 2026-Q3
Local Signals

Metro Permit Activity

Permit Activity

Normal
YoY Permit Growth
+7.7%Within norm

Raw signal — not the composite percentile

Relative to 2016–2019 norms for this metro

Permit activity is typical but demand is softening. Price pressure is forming on the demand side — this is not a supply problem.

Employment Concentration

Employment

Concentrated
Largest SectorManufacturing 28.4%
QCEW 2024 annual averages
Internal Structure

Grand Rapids's counties diverge significantly — Ottawa County (High Risk) contrasts sharply with Montcalm County, making the metro average potentially misleading.

High20.5
5 of 5 counties scored

Grand Rapids, MI shows High internal divergence — the metro composite may obscure significant county-level differences. Ottawa County contributes the most structural risk (High Risk, driven by permits per capita), while Montcalm County anchors the lower end (Low Risk).

Within-metro factor percentiles (0 = lowest risk, 100 = highest risk)
CountyScore ▼
Kent County
81
Ottawa CountyRisk Driver
81
Barry County
50
Ionia County
19
Montcalm CountyStabilizer
19
Score History
MonthScore
2026-0659
2025-1255
2025-1047
2025-0851
2025-0655
2025-0455
2025-0252
2024-1252
2024-1152
2024-0955
2024-0756
2024-0655
2024-0454
2024-0351
2024-0253
2023-1251
2023-1148
2023-0944
2023-0744
2023-0544
2023-0444
2023-0238
2022-1239
2022-1043
2022-0842
2022-0640
2022-0439
2022-0241
2022-0140
2021-1144
2021-1046
2021-0846
2021-0544
2021-0353
2021-0153
2020-1152
2020-1052
2020-0852
2020-0752
2020-0552
2020-0452
2020-0248
2019-1250
2019-1053
2019-0955
2019-0756
2019-0453
2019-0254
2019-0153
Data Vintages
Price (HPI)2026-Q2
Permits2026-08
Income2024
Employment2026-08
Migration2023