2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Grand Rapids, MI vs Gulf Shores, AL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Gulf Shores or is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids?
- Gulf Shores is 0.0% more expensive than Grand Rapids.

Which city has more affordable housing, Gulf Shores or Grand Rapids?
- Gulf Shores housing costs are 48.6% more expensive than Grand Rapids housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Grand Rapids or is Health Care more affordable in Gulf Shores.
- Health related expenses are 42.2% more in Gulf Shores.
 Grand Rapids, MIGulf Shores, ALUnited States
 Overall  Unlock94.5100
 Food & Groceries95.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock115.5100
 Housing78.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$439,200$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock76.9100
 Miscellaneous100.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Grand Rapids    62 Reviews

I've lived in Grand Rapids about 85% of my life and can confidently say it is a great place to live for anyone. I know countless people who dogged the city, moved  More

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Grand Rapids proper - the small city - is fairly OK. Nothing special stands out about it when judged against the nicer areas of the US, but it has some decent dining and  More

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Wow. “bland Rapids and everyone is Smug, uptight and part of the Christian Reformed Church. “ Someone is accurately describing Grand Rapids in 1985. Much has changed  More

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Reviews for Gulf Shores    6 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Owned a place there for 20 years and spend a few weeks each season there. Heading back in a few weeks! Lows: Spotty internet for work. Saturday traffic. Hurricanes.  More

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I know that there are a few people out there that would just as soon throw rotten tomatoes at me for saying what I’m about to say, but I hate, hate, HATE living in Gulf  More

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Over 14 years ago

Gulf Shores offers many sunny days, compared to the rest of Baldwin County.  More

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