Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Athens, GA (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Brownsville is 35% cheaper than Athens.

$906/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↑ 28%
$48,675/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↑ 6%
$122,400 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$271,800 ↑ 122%
$830/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↑ 40%
188,023
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $256/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $3,072/year.

Median household income is $2,980/year higher in Athens. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Athens — common questions

Is Brownsville or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Athens?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $256/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Athens?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $2,980/year higher in Athens.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Georgia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Athens details →

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