Beaumont TX vs Columbia SC — 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Beaumont
113,710
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Beaumont
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Beaumont
35.3
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Beaumont
10.8%
Beaumont +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Beaumont
33.9%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Beaumont
44.9%
Beaumont +
Columbia
39.5%
Asian
Beaumont
3.5%
Beaumont +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Beaumont
20.8%
Beaumont +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Beaumont
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,710 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 5.1% | Beaumont + |
| White | 33.9% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 44.9% | 39.5% | Beaumont + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.7% | Beaumont + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 5.7% | Beaumont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Beaumont
$57,530
Beaumont +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Beaumont
$32,993
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Beaumont
$63,758
Beaumont +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Beaumont
5.3%
Beaumont +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Beaumont
19.8%
Beaumont +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Beaumont
25.2%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,530 | $55,653 | Beaumont + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,993 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Beaumont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.6% | Beaumont + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 23.3% | Beaumont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.2% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Beaumont
$170,393
Beaumont +
Columbia
$229,993
Homeownership Rate
Beaumont
54.2%
Beaumont +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $170,393 | $229,993 | Beaumont + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.3% | Beaumont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
442
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
2339
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
42.1%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.3%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Beaumont
18.9%
Beaumont +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
17.6%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
14.4%
Beaumont +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.0%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.2% | Beaumont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.7% | Beaumont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
68.6°F
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
60.4 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.6°F | 66.7°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4 in | 46.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Beaumont
9.2 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Beaumont
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Beaumont
22.3 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Beaumont leads in median household income at $57,530, while beaumont offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $170,393. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Beaumont. Beaumont has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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