Beaumont vs North Charleston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Beaumont
North Charleston
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 23.5%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $98,077 in North Charleston.
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 $98,077 in North Charleston.
Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $57,353 in Beaumont.
Living in Beaumont vs North Charleston
Housing Costs
Beaumont's housing index of 81 is lower North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $347,000. The $181,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,760 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $480/month in North Charleston. 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 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $480 in North Charleston. 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 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $60,196 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 $1,433/month in North Charleston. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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