Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Brownsville is 78% cheaper than Berkeley.

$906/mo ↓ 57%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 135%
$48,675/yr ↓ 55%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 123%
$122,400 ↓ 91%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 1004%
$830/mo ↓ 65%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 182%
188,023
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,221/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $14,652/year.

Median household income is $59,883/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Brownsville or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Berkeley?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $1,221/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Berkeley?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $59,883/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Berkeley details →

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