Beaumont TX vs Chicago IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Beaumont, TX
Texas · Population: 113,710
- Median HH Income$57,530
- Median Home Price$170,393
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+25.2%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Beaumont
113,710
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Beaumont
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Beaumont
35.3
Beaumont +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Beaumont
10.8%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Beaumont
33.9%
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Black
Beaumont
44.9%
Beaumont +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Beaumont
3.5%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Beaumont
20.8%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Beaumont
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,710 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.7 | Beaumont + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 33.9% | 39.1% | Chicago + |
| Black | 44.9% | 28.4% | Beaumont + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Beaumont
$57,530
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Beaumont
$32,993
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Beaumont
$63,758
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Beaumont
5.3%
Beaumont +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Beaumont
19.8%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Beaumont
25.2%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,530 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,993 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.9% | Beaumont + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.2% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Beaumont
$170,393
Beaumont +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Beaumont
54.2%
Beaumont +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $170,393 | $324,183 | Beaumont + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 45.5% | Beaumont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
442
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
2339
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
42.1%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.3%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Beaumont
18.9%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
17.6%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
14.4%
Beaumont +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.0%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 19.0% | Beaumont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
68.6°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
60.4 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.6°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Beaumont
9.2 µg/m³
Beaumont +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Beaumont
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Beaumont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Beaumont
22.3 min
Beaumont +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 36.5 min | Beaumont + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while beaumont offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $170,393. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Beaumont. Beaumont has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Beaumont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Beaumont, TX vs New York, NYBeaumont, TX vs Los Angeles, CABeaumont, TX vs Houston, TXBeaumont, TX vs Phoenix, AZBeaumont, TX vs Philadelphia, PABeaumont, TX vs San Antonio, TX