Is Austin, TX cheaper than Brownsville, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 8.7% more expensive than Brownsville, TX. This translates to spending an extra $652 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Brownsville, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Brownsville, TX, you'd need approximately $157,828.24 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Brownsville, TX and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 34.9% more expensive than in Brownsville, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,093/month in Brownsville, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Brownsville, TX to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $652 more per month than Brownsville, TX, or $7828 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Brownsville, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Brownsville, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Corpus Christi, TX area

Current salary in Brownsville, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $652/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $157.8K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 8.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$652

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$7.8K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Brownsville, TX

Population:190K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$184K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:109

Median Home:$558K

Brownsville, TX

The Lone Star State

190K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 190K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Brownsville, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	Brownsville, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,138/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $747more	34.9%
📦Other	$1,813/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $71.89less	4.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,337/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $53.03less	4.0%
🏥Healthcare	$537/mo	$589/mo	↑ $51.19more	9.5%
⚡All Utilities	$502/mo	$541/mo	↑ $39.13more	7.8%
🛒Groceries	$928/mo	$959/mo	↑ $31.38more	3.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 34.9%

Brownsville, TX

$2,138

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$747

📦Other

↓ 4.0%

Brownsville, TX

$1,813

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$71.89

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 4.0%

Brownsville, TX

$1,337

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$53.03

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.5%

Brownsville, TX

$537

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$51.19

⚡All Utilities

↑ 7.8%

Brownsville, TX

$502

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$39.13

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.4%

Brownsville, TX

$928

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$31.38

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$812

To$1,585

↑ $773

1 Bed

From$906

To$1,685

↑ $779

2 Bed

From$1,093

To$1,995

↑ $902

3 Bed

From$1,479

To$2,525

↑ $1,046

Brownsville, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,030/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,255

Monthly in Brownsville, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$744

Difference

Home Values

Brownsville

Austin

$184K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +50.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$169K - $228K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 203% more expensive than Brownsville

Calculate payment - Brownsville Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Brownsville, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Brownsville, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.