City Comparison

Arlington vs Beaumont

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Texas
96
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$60,138
Median Income

Beaumont

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

The Verdict

23.1%

Living in Beaumont costs 23.1% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $60,938 in Beaumont.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Arlington
81
Beaumont
Groceries
96
Arlington
96
Beaumont
Utilities
99
Arlington
102
Beaumont
Transportation
106
Arlington
93
Beaumont
Healthcare
100
Arlington
104
Beaumont

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $60,938 in Beaumont.

Conversely, $75,000 in Beaumont equals $92,308 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Beaumont

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is higher 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: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,000/mo in Beaumont, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 96 in Beaumont. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington 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 99 in Arlington and 102 in Beaumont. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $408 in Beaumont. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 104 in Beaumont. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $57,000 in Beaumont. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 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 $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,330/month in Beaumont. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/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 Transportation, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 23.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,938 in Beaumont, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 86 with median homes at $260,000, while Beaumont's is 81 with median homes at $166,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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