Arcata, CA vs Beaumont, CA

Arcata, CA and Beaumont, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Arcata scores 116 while Beaumont scores 121 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arcata is $1,287/month compared to $1,505/month in Beaumont — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arcata has cheaper rent, Beaumont actually has lower median home values ($464,000 vs $466,600).

Median household income in Arcata is $48,731 compared to $105,164 in Beaumont (-53.7%). While Beaumont is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcata spend roughly 31.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Beaumont. The Beaumont ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.