Beaumont vs Chattanooga
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Beaumont
Chattanooga
The Verdict
Beaumont is 12.4% less expensive than Chattanooga overall. A household earning $75,000 in Beaumont would need approximately $85,577 in Chattanooga to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $85,577 in Chattanooga.
Conversely, $75,000 in Chattanooga equals $65,730 in Beaumont.
Living in Beaumont vs Chattanooga
Housing Costs
Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Chattanooga's 76, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $255,000. The $89,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,200/mo in Chattanooga, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 94 in Chattanooga. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $447/month in Chattanooga. 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 91 in Chattanooga. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $364 in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga. 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 $46,054 in Chattanooga. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $51,746 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 $1,075/month in Chattanooga. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Chattanooga, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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