City Comparison

Beaumont vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

13.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.3%, with Beaumont being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to $86,538 in Scranton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
65
Scranton
Groceries
96
Beaumont
98
Scranton
Utilities
102
Beaumont
102
Scranton
Transportation
93
Beaumont
101
Scranton
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $86,538 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $65,000 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $195,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Beaumont compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $466/month in Scranton. 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 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $55,000 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 $1,155/month in Scranton. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 13.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,538 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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