City Comparison

Beaumont vs Birmingham

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

Birmingham

Alabama
87
Below Average
$165,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$38,178
Median Income

The Verdict

10.3%

Living in Beaumont costs 10.3% less than Birmingham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Beaumont, you would need $83,654 in Birmingham.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
67
Birmingham
Groceries
96
Beaumont
96
Birmingham
Utilities
102
Beaumont
92
Birmingham
Transportation
93
Beaumont
99
Birmingham
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
91
Birmingham

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $83,654 in Birmingham.

Conversely, $75,000 in Birmingham equals $67,241 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Birmingham

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Birmingham's 67, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $165,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,000/mo in Birmingham, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 96 in Birmingham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $456/month in Birmingham. 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 102 in Beaumont and 92 in Birmingham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $368 in Birmingham. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 91 in Birmingham. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,000 in Beaumont and $38,178 in Birmingham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $43,883 respectively. Beaumont residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in Beaumont vs $891/month in Birmingham. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 10.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,654 in Birmingham, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Birmingham's is 67 with median homes at $165,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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