City Comparison

Beaumont vs Tuscaloosa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Beaumont

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

Tuscaloosa

Alabama
89
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

12.4%

Living in Beaumont costs 12.4% less than Tuscaloosa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Beaumont, you would need $85,577 in Tuscaloosa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Beaumont
74
Tuscaloosa
Groceries
96
Beaumont
98
Tuscaloosa
Utilities
102
Beaumont
96
Tuscaloosa
Transportation
93
Beaumont
95
Tuscaloosa
Healthcare
104
Beaumont
87
Tuscaloosa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has the same purchasing power as $85,577 in Tuscaloosa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tuscaloosa equals $65,730 in Beaumont.

Living in Beaumont vs Tuscaloosa

Housing Costs

Beaumont's housing index of 81 is higher Tuscaloosa's 74, translating to median home prices of $166,000 vs $265,000. The $99,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,432 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 Tuscaloosa, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Beaumont and 98 in Tuscaloosa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Beaumont vs $466/month in Tuscaloosa. 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 96 in Tuscaloosa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Beaumont vs $384 in Tuscaloosa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Beaumont and 87 in Tuscaloosa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 Tuscaloosa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,077 and $55,618 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 Tuscaloosa. In Beaumont, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Tuscaloosa, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beaumont is 12.4% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Beaumont has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,577 in Tuscaloosa, based on the cost of living difference.
Beaumont's housing index is 81 with median homes at $166,000, while Tuscaloosa's is 74 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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