City Comparison

Albuquerque vs Beaumont

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Albuquerque

New Mexico
92
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,911
Median Income

Beaumont

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

The Verdict

17.9%

Living in Beaumont costs 17.9% less than Albuquerque. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $63,587 in Beaumont.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
80
Albuquerque
81
Beaumont
Groceries
97
Albuquerque
96
Beaumont
Utilities
95
Albuquerque
102
Beaumont
Transportation
99
Albuquerque
93
Beaumont
Healthcare
94
Albuquerque
104
Beaumont

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $63,587 in Beaumont.

Conversely, $75,000 in Beaumont equals $88,462 in Albuquerque.

Living in Albuquerque vs Beaumont

Housing Costs

Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is lower Beaumont's 81, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $166,000. The $94,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,000/mo in Beaumont, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 96 in Beaumont. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $456/month in Beaumont. 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 95 in Albuquerque and 102 in Beaumont. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $408 in Beaumont. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque and 104 in Beaumont. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,911 in Albuquerque and $57,000 in Beaumont. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $73,077 respectively. Beaumont residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,330/month in Beaumont. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 17.9% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,587 in Beaumont, based on the cost of living difference.
Albuquerque's housing index is 80 with median homes at $260,000, while Beaumont's is 81 with median homes at $166,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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