Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Cary, NC (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

Brownsville is 60% cheaper than Cary.

$906/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↑ 79%
$48,675/yr ↓ 62%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 166%
$122,400 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 329%
$830/mo ↓ 52%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↑ 110%
188,023
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $715/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $8,580/year.

Median household income is $80,724/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Cary — common questions

Is Brownsville or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Cary?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $715/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Cary?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $80,724/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Cary details →

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