| Index | Brownsville | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 88 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 60 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 107 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 98 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Brownsville can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Brownsville cost of living index is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 10 residents in Brownsville to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 60% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 40% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Brownsville an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Brownsville, the median home price is 47.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 20.2% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Brownsville come in at $59,793, which is 26.5% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Brownsville, the housing index is 39.5% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including 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 offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Brownsville, the utilities index registers 7.1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Brownsville shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $81,494 | $6,791 | $1,901 | $2,445 |
| Renters | $38,754 | $3,230 | $904 | $1,163 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| El Camino Angosto, TX | 147 | 97 | 2.5% |
| Los Fresnos CDP, TX | 64 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Rancho Viejo CDP, TX | 282 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Del Mar Heights, TX | 169 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Orason, TX | 568 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Brownsville, TX | 189,413 | 88 | 12.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Worcester, MA | 189,035 | 120 | 20.3% |
| Vancouver, WA | 188,837 | 127 | 26.9% |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 187,807 | 127 | 27.1% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 187,734 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 185,812 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Brownsville, TX | 189,413 | 88 | 12.0% |
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