Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Charleston, SC (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Brownsville is 58% cheaper than Charleston.

$906/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 80%
$48,675/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 85%
$122,400 ↓ 74%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 283%
$830/mo ↓ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 103%
188,023
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $726/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $8,712/year.

Median household income is $41,363/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Charleston — common questions

Is Brownsville or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Charleston?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $726/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Charleston?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $41,363/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Charleston details →

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