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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Brownsville is 69% cheaper than Alexandria.

$906/mo ↓ 55%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 124%
$48,675/yr ↓ 57%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 133%
$122,400 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 469%
$830/mo ↓ 62%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 162%
188,023
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,125/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $13,500/year.

Median household income is $64,963/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Brownsville or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Alexandria?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $1,125/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Alexandria?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $64,963/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Alexandria details →

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