Beaumont vs Reading
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Beaumont
Reading
The Verdict
Living in Beaumont costs 12.4% less than Reading. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Beaumont, you would need $85,577 in Reading.
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 $85,577 in Reading.
Conversely, $75,000 in Reading equals $65,730 in Beaumont.
Living in Beaumont vs Reading
Housing Costs
Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Reading's 62, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $155,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,050/mo in Reading, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 96 in Reading. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $456/month in Reading. 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 105 in Reading. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $420 in Reading. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 89 in Reading. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 Reading. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $51,236 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 Reading. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Reading, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases