A
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Brownsville Florida National
Cost of living10599100
Goods & Services107100100
Groceries109105100
Health care8294100
Housing10797100
Transportation10099100
Utilities10398100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Brownsville, FL

Knowing the cost of living in Brownsville allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Brownsville stands at 105, marking it 5% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Brownsville is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Brownsville Affordable?

Is Brownsville an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Brownsville is 14.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 9.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Brownsville has a median household income of $39,568, which is 51.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Brownsville?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Brownsville, the healthcare costs are 17.7% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Brownsville, the utilities index stands at 3.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Brownsville cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Brownsville is 6% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Brownsville is 5% higher than the national average
  • Brownsville housing is 7% higher than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Brownsville

See all the best places to live around Brownsville

Compare Brownsville, FL Cost of Living

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      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$65,488$5,457$1,528$1,965
      Renters$30,241$2,520$706$907
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Brownsville, FL, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Brownsville have a median income of $65,488. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,528 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $30,241, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $706.

      Florida Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Florida 6% 7.5%

      Florida Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Florida 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Brownsville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.63$27.6210.8%
      Beauty Salon $78.09$51.1152.8%
      Toothpaste $4.03$4.091.5%
      Shampoo $1.79$1.5416.1%
      Movie $17.39$12.8835.0%
      Yoga $28.67$19.6645.8%

      Groceries

      Item Brownsville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.12$7.705.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.54$1.667.4%
      Milk $4.90$4.733.5%
      Potatoes $5.42$5.263.1%
      Pizza $15.00$12.7617.5%
      Beer $11.92$10.5513.0%

      Health Care

      Item Brownsville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $91.04$140.0635.0%
      Doctor $120.82$153.8221.5%
      Dentist $105.13$123.1514.6%
      Ibuprofen $12.05$11.732.7%
      Lipitor $17.76$23.6124.8%

      Housing

      Item Brownsville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $373,983.00$326,622.0014.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,282.09$2,480.2532.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,303.00$1,444.009.8%

      Transportation

      Item Brownsville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.13$3.062.4%
      Tire Balancing $60.64$65.217.0%

      Utilities

      Item Brownsville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $230.06$220.124.5%
      Phone $198.85$195.711.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Medley, FL1,0768712.6%
      Pembroke Park, FL6,9708910.7%
      Gladeview, FL13,938991.1%
      Opa-locka, FL16,6101021.5%
      West Little River, FL33,2291043.9%
      Brownsville, FL18,1701055.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Paradise, CA18,15912121.3%
      Gretna, LA18,157955.2%
      Centerville, UT18,18712221.8%
      Tiffin, OH18,1518614.1%
      Cinco Ranch, TX18,19012726.8%
      Brownsville, FL18,1701055.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.