City Comparison

Beaumont vs Knoxville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

Knoxville

Tennessee
88
Below Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$42,898
Median Income

The Verdict

11.4%

Living in Beaumont costs 11.4% less than Knoxville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Beaumont, you would need $84,615 in Knoxville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
73
Knoxville
Groceries
96
Beaumont
94
Knoxville
Utilities
102
Beaumont
90
Knoxville
Transportation
93
Beaumont
97
Knoxville
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
93
Knoxville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $84,615 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $66,477 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $240,000. The $74,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $447/month in Knoxville. 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 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $360 in Knoxville. 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 93 in Knoxville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $48,748 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 $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 11.4% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,615 in Knoxville, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Knoxville's is 73 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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