Beaumont vs Columbia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Beaumont
Columbia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 40.9%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $126,923 in Columbia.
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 $126,923 in Columbia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Columbia equals $44,318 in Beaumont.
Living in Beaumont vs Columbia
Housing Costs
Beaumont's housing index of 81 is lower Columbia's 172, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $430,000. The $264,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,160 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,900/mo in Columbia, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 104 in Columbia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $494/month in Columbia. Beaumont offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Beaumont and 110 in Columbia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $440 in Columbia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 101 in Columbia. 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 $57,000 in Beaumont and $112,738 in Columbia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $85,408 respectively. Columbia residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in Beaumont vs $2,631/month in Columbia. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Columbia, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 91 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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