News Summary
Grand Rapids has ranked 22nd in WalletHub’s annual report on the best-run cities in the United States, marking its third consecutive year in the top tier. The city improved its position from 23rd place in the previous year’s report, thanks to effective financial management and enhancements in public services. Key initiatives, such as strategic budget realignments and mental-health team expansions, contributed to this success, demonstrating the city’s commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents.
Grand Rapids has achieved a notable feat, ranking 22nd in WalletHub’s annual report for 2025 on the best-run cities in the United States. This marks the city’s third consecutive year in the top tier of the rankings, showing consistent improvement in its governance and public services. Grand Rapids, which climbed one spot from 23rd place in the 2024 report, was evaluated along with 148 of the nation’s largest cities.
The WalletHub ranking assesses cities based on a “Quality of City Services” score, which evaluates performance across six categories: financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure. This score is then compared against the total budget per capita to gauge the efficiency of how tax dollars are used. Grand Rapids’ continued presence in the upper echelons of this ranking demonstrates effective financial management and a commitment to enhancing city services.
City leaders attribute this improvement to the teamwork and dedication of city staff in working towards a better community. The recent ranking serves as a testament to their efforts in making informed and strategic decisions that favor both taxpayers and quality of life enhancements.
Contributing Factors to Improvement
Several key initiatives have significantly contributed to Grand Rapids’ improved ranking. These include:
- Strategic budget realignments: The city has focused its funds towards essential areas such as public safety, housing, and infrastructure while successfully maintaining a stable overall millage rate.
- Expansion of mental-health co-response teams: Recognizing the growing importance of mental health in community safety, the city has invested in teams designed to address these needs effectively.
- Violence-reduction partnerships: Continued investment in partnerships aimed at reducing violence has showcased the city’s commitment to public safety.
- Infrastructure upgrades: Essential improvements have been made to critical infrastructure, including water systems and street rehabilitation, which bolster the quality of life for residents.
Comparative Analysis
Within the state of Michigan, Grand Rapids performed notably better than its peers, scoring higher than cities like Warren (26th), Flint (137th), and Detroit (147th). This is reflective of the city’s effective resource management and commitment to service delivery. Nationally, cities that scored higher than Grand Rapids include Virginia Beach, Missoula, and Durham, all of which operate within similar budget parameters for residential services.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the successes demonstrated by the ranking, the report also highlighted ongoing challenges faced by city governance. Issues like rising inflation and the increasing incidence of mass shootings have impacted local governments across the country, including Grand Rapids. These factors underscore the need for continued vigilance and resourcefulness in managing city services amid evolving challenges.
Engagement with Residents
Residents of Grand Rapids are encouraged to become more informed about the city’s financial management practices. The city maintains an online budget library at grandrapidsmi.gov, where residents can access information about city finances and budget allocations.
The recognition by WalletHub is not just a badge of honor for Grand Rapids but also a call to continue effective governance practices. With a focus on leveraging data-driven decision-making, city leaders remain committed to making strides that enhance the living conditions and overall well-being of its residents.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WZZM13: Grand Rapids Best Run Cities
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Best Run City
- Mix 957: Best City in Michigan
- WOOD TV: Best Run City in Michigan
- MLive: Grand Rapids City Manager Semi-Finalist
- Wikipedia: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Google Search: Grand Rapids best run city
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
