CostIndexUSA

Beaumont, TX vs Chicago, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Beaumont
90
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Beaumont is significantly cheaper than Chicago — 15.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Beaumont, you would need $92,100 in Chicago. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+58.0%
Beaumont
70.9
Chicago
112
🛒 Groceries+14.4%
Beaumont
93.8
Chicago
107.3
🚗 Transportation+4.4%
Beaumont
101.1
Chicago
105.5
🏥 Healthcare+4.5%
Beaumont
91.4
Chicago
95.5
Utilities+0.6%
Beaumont
83.1
Chicago
83.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Beaumont to see what you'd need to earn in Chicago to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Chicago, IL
$92,100
$12,100 more needed in Chicago

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 90) = salary × 1.1511. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Beaumont, TX

Median Home Price
$176,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
70.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.5×

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Chicago has 58.0% higher housing costs compared to Beaumont.

Income & Job Market

Beaumont, TX

Median Household Income
$62,900
Per Capita Income
$35,900
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
Population
117,417
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernment

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Beaumont, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.