Beaumont vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Beaumont
Lakewood
The Verdict
Living in Beaumont costs 41.4% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Beaumont, you would need $127,885 in Lakewood.
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 $127,885 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $43,985 in Beaumont.
Living in Beaumont vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Beaumont's housing index of 81 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $574,000. The $408,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $340 in Lakewood. 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 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $63,008 respectively. Beaumont residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,330/month to housing in Beaumont vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 107 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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