Beaumont vs Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Beaumont
Salem
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 25.0%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $100,000 in Salem.
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 $100,000 in Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $56,250 in Beaumont.
Living in Beaumont vs Salem
Housing Costs
Beaumont's housing index of 81 is lower Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $400,000. The $234,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,216 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $475/month in Salem. 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 Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $388 in Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 100 in Salem. 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 $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $63,846 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 $1,549/month in Salem. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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