City Comparison

Beaumont vs Gainesville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

Gainesville

Florida
92
Below Average
$295,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$45,600
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

Living in Beaumont costs 15.2% less than Gainesville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Beaumont, you would need $88,462 in Gainesville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
98
Gainesville
Groceries
96
Beaumont
96
Gainesville
Utilities
102
Beaumont
84
Gainesville
Transportation
93
Beaumont
105
Gainesville
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
94
Gainesville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $88,462 in Gainesville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gainesville equals $63,587 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Gainesville

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is lower Gainesville's 98, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $295,000. The $129,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,388 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,225/mo in Gainesville, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 96 in Gainesville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $456/month in Gainesville. 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 84 in Gainesville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $336 in Gainesville. 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 94 in Gainesville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $45,600 in Gainesville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $49,565 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 $1,064/month in Gainesville. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Gainesville, median rent of $1,225/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,462 in Gainesville, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Gainesville's is 98 with median homes at $295,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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