City Comparison

Beaumont vs Grand Rapids

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

Texas
78
Very Affordable
$166,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$57,000
Median Income

Grand Rapids

Michigan
91
Below Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$49,982
Median Income

The Verdict

14.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.3%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $87,500 in Grand Rapids.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
81
Beaumont
78
Grand Rapids
Groceries
96
Beaumont
96
Grand Rapids
Utilities
102
Beaumont
99
Grand Rapids
Transportation
93
Beaumont
101
Grand Rapids
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
98
Grand Rapids

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $87,500 in Grand Rapids.

Conversely, $75,000 in Grand Rapids equals $64,286 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Grand Rapids

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Grand Rapids's 78, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $240,000. The $74,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,200/mo in Grand Rapids, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 96 in Grand Rapids. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $456/month in Grand Rapids. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Beaumont and 99 in Grand Rapids. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $396 in Grand Rapids. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 98 in Grand Rapids. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,000 in Beaumont and $49,982 in Grand Rapids. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $54,925 respectively. Beaumont residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in Beaumont vs $1,166/month in Grand Rapids. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Grand Rapids, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 14.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,500 in Grand Rapids, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Grand Rapids's is 78 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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