CostIndexUSA

Beaumont, TX vs Merced, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Beaumont
90
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
CA
Merced
98.3
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Beaumont is moderately cheaper than Merced — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Beaumont, you would need $87,400 in Merced. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+10.9%
Beaumont
70.9
Merced
78.6
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Beaumont
93.8
Merced
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
Beaumont
101.1
Merced
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
Beaumont
91.4
Merced
95.3
Utilities+90.5%
Beaumont
83.1
Merced
158.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Merced, CA
$87,400
$7,400 more needed in Merced

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 90) = salary × 1.0922. 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×

Merced, CA

Median Home Price
$410,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Merced has 10.9% 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

Merced, CA

Median Household Income
$57,600
Per Capita Income
$32,800
Unemployment Rate
9.2%
Population
86,333
Top Industries
AgricultureEducationHealthcareGovernmentLogistics

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)

Merced, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% 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.