Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Beaumont, TX
VS
Chicago, IL
🏆 Beaumont leads 13 of 23 categories
Beaumont
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$53,745
Violent Crime Index
299⚠ High
Population
114,573
Chicago
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Beaumont, TX
Pros
Homes cost $154k less ($150,400 vs $304,500)
Rent averages $322/mo less ($992 vs $1,314)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (5.3%)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 32°F
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Median income trails Chicago by $17,928/yr
Violent crime (1137.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3302.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Chicago, IL
Pros
53% less violent crime than Beaumont
Households earn $17,928 more per year on average
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 92°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Beaumont
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Beaumont
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.2 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Beaumont
Median Home Value
$154k less
$150,400 vs $304,500
Beaumont
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
5.3% vs 8.2% unemployment
Beaumont
Summer Heat
11.0°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 81.0°F
Chicago
Median Income
$17,928
$71,673 vs $53,745/yr
Chicago
Violent Crime
53% lower
539.8 vs 1137.3 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.2 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $150,400 ✓ Lower | $304,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $992 ✓ Lower | $1,314 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $53,745 | $71,673 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.7 min ✓ Shorter | 34.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 3.6% | 15.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 242⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 299⚠ High | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer | 165⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | A (118) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.9:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.8% | 42.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 86.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BEAUMONT ISD | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.6°F ✓ Warmer | 31.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer | 81.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 65.1" | 34.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 38.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,573 | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 35.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.4% ✓ Higher | 45.6% |
| Under 18 | 24.7% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 15.9% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Beaumont's cost of living index is 90.2 vs Chicago's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Beaumont is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Beaumont leads 13 of 23 categories. Beaumont wins 13 and Chicago wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Beaumont to Chicago or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,400 vs $304,500 median home), income ($53,745 vs $71,673), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Beaumont, TX and Chicago, IL are about 888 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.