Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Alto, MI
Considering a move to Alto, MI? With a welcoming population of 3,700 and affordable median home prices around $320,000, Alto offers a suburban-rural blend with low violent crime (82 per 100K) and a high owner-occupancy rate. Residents enjoy reasonable commutes (28 minutes on average), quality local schools, and access to major Grand Rapids hospitals. The cost of living is below the national average, and the climate features all four seasons with 48% sunny days each year. Alto is a great choice for those seeking a safe, family-friendly community close to city amenities.
Demographics - Alto, MI
Alto, MI is home to about 3,700 residents, featuring a predominantly White population and a median age of 37.2 years. The community has a balanced gender ratio and a small percentage of non-English speakers, fostering a close-knit, family-friendly environment.
Population:
3,700
Density:
150 per sq mi
Median Age:
37.2
Gender Ratio:
101 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
4.2%

Ethnic Composition
White:
95.0%
Black:
1.0%
Asian:
0.7%
Others:
3.3%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Alto, MI?
Alto offers a cost of living below the national average, with a median home value of $320,000 and typical monthly rent around $1,150. Daily expenses like groceries and utilities are also affordable, making Alto an attractive option for families and individuals seeking value.
Median House Value:
$320,000
Gross Rent:
$1,150
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$1,180
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,650
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$530
State Taxes:
Low:
4.25%
|
High:
4.25%
Cost Of Living Index:
95.8
Grocery:
94.6
Housing:
92.2
Utilities:
98.0
Transportation:
97.3
Health Care:
99.1
Miscellaneous:
96.2
Crime
Is Alto, MI a safe place to live?
Alto enjoys a very low violent crime rate, with only 82 incidents per 100,000 people, and property crime remains moderate. Residents benefit from a strong sense of safety, with the chance of violent crime being just 1 in 1,220.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
82
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,060
Crime Index:
1,142
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 1,220
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 94
Weather
What is the weather like in Alto, MI year-round?
Alto experiences all four seasons, with cold winters averaging lows of 16°F and warm summers reaching up to 82°F. The area receives about 37.5 inches of rainfall annually and enjoys sunshine nearly half the year.

Winter
Min:
16°F
Max:
32°F

Spring
Min:
36°F
Max:
60°F

Summer
Min:
60°F
Max:
82°F

Fall
Min:
41°F
Max:
64°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
37.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
48%
Neighbors
Alto’s households have a median income of $89,900 and a low poverty rate of 5.6%, reflecting a generally prosperous community. Educational attainment is high, with nearly 95% of adults holding at least a high school diploma, and most residents commute about 28 minutes to work.
Median Income:
$44,000
Household Income:
$89,900
Family Income:
$98,200
Per Capita Income:
$37,500
Income Male:
$50,000
Income Female:
$41,000
Poverty Rate:
5.6%
Non English Speakers:
4.2%
Rent:
$1,150
Unemployment Rate:
4.0%
Public Transport Usage:
0.5%
Commute Time:
27.8 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
94.8%
Bachelors or More:
35.2%
Education
How are the schools in Alto, MI?
Alto offers quality educational opportunities through local public and private schools, including Alto Elementary and access to Lowell High School. Higher education options are easily accessible, with colleges like Grand Rapids Community College and Calvin University located within a short drive.

Public Schools
Name:
Alto Elementary School
Street:
6150 Bancroft Ave SE
Phone:
616-987-2600
Students:
420
Student Teacher Ratio:
18.9
Name:
Lowell High School
Street:
11700 Vergennes St SE, Lowell
Phone:
616-987-2900
Students:
1,200
Student Teacher Ratio:
19.1

Private Schools
Name:
St. Patrick School
Street:
4333 Parnell Ave NE, Ada
Phone:
616-691-8833
Students:
210

Colleges
Name:
Grand Rapids Community College
City:
Grand Rapids
State:
MI
Distance:
18 miles
Students:
12,000
Name:
Calvin University
City:
Grand Rapids
State:
MI
Distance:
14 miles
Students:
3,300
Healthcare
Residents of Alto have convenient access to major hospitals in nearby Grand Rapids and benefit from a high health insurance coverage rate of 94.3%. The area offers solid healthcare services, with about 2.2 physicians per 1,000 people.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital
Address:
1840 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone:
(616) 774-7444
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
Address:
100 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone:
(616) 391-1774
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
94.3%
Health Care Index:
72.3
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Alto, MI?
The housing market in Alto is strong, with a median home price of $320,000 and an impressive 83.9% owner-occupancy rate. Home values have appreciated by 6% in the past year, and rental vacancies remain low, reflecting steady demand.
Median Home Price:
$320,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,150
Owner Occupied Rate:
83.9%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
6.0%
New Construction Rate:
2.1%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.4%
DMV Information
Alto residents can access DMV services through the Michigan Secretary of State office in nearby Grand Rapids, offering all standard vehicle and licensing services. The office is conveniently located and provides helpful resources online and by phone.
State:
Michigan
Department:
Michigan Secretary of State
Address:
7060 S Division Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Phone:
1-888-767-6424
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.