City Comparison

Beaumont vs North Charleston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

North Charleston

South Carolina
102
Average
$347,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$61,400
Median Income

The Verdict

23.5%

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
102
North Charleston
Groceries
96
Beaumont
101
North Charleston
Utilities
102
Beaumont
120
North Charleston
Transportation
93
Beaumont
91
North Charleston
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
86
North Charleston

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

Beaumont is 23.5% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,077 in North Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while North Charleston's is 102 with median homes at $347,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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