CostIndexUSA

Grand Rapids, MI vs Myrtle Beach, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Myrtle Beach
93.6
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Myrtle Beach is slightly cheaper than Grand Rapids — 2.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Rapids, you would need $78,400 in Myrtle Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing4.0%
Grand Rapids
86.6
Myrtle Beach
83.1
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Grand Rapids
93.7
Myrtle Beach
96.3
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Grand Rapids
104.5
Myrtle Beach
103.2
🏥 Healthcare1.3%
Grand Rapids
94.6
Myrtle Beach
93.4
Utilities6.2%
Grand Rapids
93.8
Myrtle Beach
88

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Myrtle Beach, SC
$78,400
$1,600 less needed in Myrtle Beach

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9801. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Rapids, MI

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

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
83.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4×

Grand Rapids has 4.0% lower housing costs compared to Myrtle Beach.

Income & Job Market

Grand Rapids, MI

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

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Household Income
$69,000
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
34,695
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareRetailReal EstateHospitality

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

75% of income left after rent (median)

Myrtle Beach, SC
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.