Albuquerque vs Beaumont
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Beaumont
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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