City Comparison

Beaumont vs Richmond

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

Richmond

Virginia
103
Average
$300,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$50,120
Median Income

The Verdict

24.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 24.3%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $99,038 in Richmond.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
108
Richmond
Groceries
96
Beaumont
100
Richmond
Utilities
102
Beaumont
97
Richmond
Transportation
93
Beaumont
100
Richmond
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
100
Richmond

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $99,038 in Richmond.

Conversely, $75,000 in Richmond equals $56,796 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Richmond

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is lower Richmond's 108, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $300,000. The $134,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,712 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,400/mo in Richmond, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 100 in Richmond. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $475/month in Richmond. 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 97 in Richmond. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $388 in Richmond. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 100 in Richmond. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,000 in Beaumont and $50,120 in Richmond. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $48,660 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 $1,169/month in Richmond. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Richmond, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 24.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $99,038 in Richmond, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Richmond's is 108 with median homes at $300,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases