City Comparison

Beaumont vs Erie

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

Erie

Pennsylvania
81
Very Affordable
$165,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$43,400
Median Income

The Verdict

3.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.7%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $77,885 in Erie.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
55
Erie
Groceries
96
Beaumont
97
Erie
Utilities
102
Beaumont
109
Erie
Transportation
93
Beaumont
113
Erie
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
89
Erie

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $77,885 in Erie.

Conversely, $75,000 in Erie equals $72,222 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Erie

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Erie's 55, 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 $925/mo in Erie, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 97 in Erie. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $461/month in Erie. 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 109 in Erie. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $436 in Erie. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 89 in Erie. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $43,400 in Erie. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $53,580 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 $1,013/month in Erie. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Erie, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 3.7% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 81.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,885 in Erie, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Erie's is 55 with median homes at $165,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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