Albany, CA vs Beaumont, CA

The cost of living difference between Albany, CA and Beaumont, CA is dramatic. Beaumont is 74.1% cheaper than Albany, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Albany has a cost index of 211 while Beaumont sits at 121, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Albany is $2,389/month compared to $1,505/month in Beaumont — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beaumont is more affordable at $464,000 median vs $1,188,600.

Median household income in Albany is $135,927 compared to $105,164 in Beaumont (+29.3%). Albany does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Albany spend roughly 21.1% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Beaumont.