Beaumont vs Brownsville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Beaumont
Brownsville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 4.0%, with Brownsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $72,115 in Brownsville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $72,115 in Brownsville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Brownsville equals $78,000 in Beaumont.
Living in Beaumont vs Brownsville
Housing Costs
Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Brownsville's 58, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $155,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $875/mo in Brownsville, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 87 in Brownsville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $413/month in Brownsville. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Beaumont and 79 in Brownsville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $316 in Brownsville. 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 104 in Beaumont and 92 in Brownsville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $52,100 in Brownsville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $69,467 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 $1,216/month in Brownsville. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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