City Comparison

Beaumont vs Sterling Heights

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

Sterling Heights

Michigan
98
Average
$300,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

20.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.4%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $94,231 in Sterling Heights.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
87
Sterling Heights
Groceries
96
Beaumont
99
Sterling Heights
Utilities
102
Beaumont
102
Sterling Heights
Transportation
93
Beaumont
107
Sterling Heights
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
93
Sterling Heights

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $94,231 in Sterling Heights.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sterling Heights equals $59,694 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Sterling Heights

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is lower Sterling Heights's 87, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $300,000. The $134,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,712 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,175/mo in Sterling Heights, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 99 in Sterling Heights. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $470/month in Sterling Heights. 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 102 in Sterling Heights. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $408 in Sterling Heights. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 93 in Sterling Heights. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,000 in Beaumont and $70,100 in Sterling Heights. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $71,531 respectively. Beaumont residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in Beaumont vs $1,636/month in Sterling Heights. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Sterling Heights, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 20.4% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $94,231 in Sterling Heights, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Sterling Heights's is 87 with median homes at $300,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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