Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Chattanooga, TN (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Chattanooga

Tennessee
81

Brownsville is 33% cheaper than Chattanooga.

$906/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,155/mo ↑ 27%
$48,675/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$61,028/yr ↑ 25%
$122,400 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$259,200 ↑ 112%
$830/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,112/mo ↑ 34%
188,023
Population
182,832

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Chattanooga, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $249/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $2,988/year.

Median household income is $12,353/year higher in Chattanooga. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $259,200 in Chattanooga.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Chattanooga — common questions

Is Brownsville or Chattanooga cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Chattanooga?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Chattanooga it's $1,155/month — a difference of $249/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Chattanooga?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $61,028 in Chattanooga. Median household income is $12,353/year higher in Chattanooga.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Tennessee?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Chattanooga?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Chattanooga has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,155/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Chattanooga details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Brownsville and Chattanooga

Brownsville vs. Akron Brownsville vs. Tempe Brownsville vs. Providence Brownsville vs. Paradise Brownsville vs. Glendale Brownsville vs. Mobile Chattanooga vs. Fort Lauderdale Chattanooga vs. Aurora Chattanooga vs. Shreveport Chattanooga vs. Ontario Chattanooga vs. Newport News Chattanooga vs. Eugene