Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Arlington is 276% more expensive than Brownsville.

$2,275/mo ↑ 151%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 60%
$140,160/yr ↑ 188%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 65%
$864,800 ↑ 607%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 86%
$2,414/mo ↑ 191%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 66%
235,463
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,369/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $16,428/year.

Median household income is $91,485/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Arlington or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Brownsville?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $1,369/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Brownsville?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $91,485/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Texas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with rent of $906/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Brownsville details →

More Comparisons

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