CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Grand Rapids, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
MI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Abilene is moderately cheaper than Grand Rapids — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $84,500 in Grand Rapids. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+17.3%
Abilene
73.8
Grand Rapids
86.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Abilene
93.8
Grand Rapids
93.7
🚗 Transportation+3.4%
Abilene
101.1
Grand Rapids
104.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.5%
Abilene
91.4
Grand Rapids
94.6
Utilities+15.5%
Abilene
81.2
Grand Rapids
93.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Grand Rapids to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Grand Rapids, MI
$84,500
$4,500 more needed in Grand Rapids

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.0564. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Grand Rapids, MI

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
86.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1×

Grand Rapids has 17.3% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Grand Rapids, MI

Median Household Income
$78,000
Per Capita Income
$44,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
198,917
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Grand Rapids, MI
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.