Cost of Living: Berkeley, CA vs Beaumont, TX (2026)

Berkeley

California
251
VS

Beaumont

Texas
66

Berkeley is 280% more expensive than Beaumont.

$2,127/mo ↑ 98%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↓ 50%
$108,558/yr ↑ 89%
Median Income
$57,530/yr ↓ 47%
$1,351,100 ↑ 751%
Home Value
$158,800 ↓ 88%
$2,340/mo ↑ 127%
Owner Costs
$1,031/mo ↓ 56%
120,223
Population
113,710

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Berkeley, CA and Beaumont, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 251 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,055/month cheaper in Beaumont, saving renters about $12,660/year.

Median household income is $51,028/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Berkeley is $1,351,100 compared to $158,800 in Beaumont.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Beaumont residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Berkeley vs Beaumont — common questions

Is Berkeley or Beaumont cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Beaumont is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Berkeley and Beaumont?
Median rent in Berkeley is $2,127/month and in Beaumont it's $1,072/month — a difference of $1,055/month.
Which city has higher income, Berkeley or Beaumont?
Median household income is $108,558 in Berkeley and $57,530 in Beaumont. Median household income is $51,028/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Berkeley or Beaumont?
It depends on your priorities. Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with median rent of $2,127/mo, while Beaumont has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Berkeley details → View Beaumont details →

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