City Comparison

Baton Rouge vs Beaumont

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana
91
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,982
Median Income

Beaumont

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

The Verdict

16.7%

Living in Beaumont costs 16.7% less than Baton Rouge. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge, you would need $64,286 in Beaumont.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
75
Baton Rouge
81
Beaumont
Groceries
96
Baton Rouge
96
Beaumont
Utilities
89
Baton Rouge
102
Beaumont
Transportation
101
Baton Rouge
93
Beaumont
Healthcare
93
Baton Rouge
104
Beaumont

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge has the same purchasing power as $64,286 in Beaumont.

Conversely, $75,000 in Beaumont equals $87,500 in Baton Rouge.

Living in Baton Rouge vs Beaumont

Housing Costs

Baton Rouge's housing index of 75 is lower Beaumont's 81, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $166,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Baton Rouge compared to $1,000/mo in Beaumont, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Baton Rouge and 96 in Beaumont. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Baton Rouge 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 89 in Baton Rouge and 102 in Beaumont. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Baton Rouge vs $408 in Beaumont. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Baton Rouge and 104 in Beaumont. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $44,982 in Baton Rouge and $57,000 in Beaumont. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,431 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 $1,050/month to housing in Baton Rouge vs $1,330/month in Beaumont. In Baton Rouge, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 16.7% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,286 in Beaumont, based on the cost of living difference.
Baton Rouge's housing index is 75 with median homes at $195,000, while Beaumont's is 81 with median homes at $166,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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