Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Brownsville is 49% cheaper than Clearwater.

$906/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 70%
$48,675/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↑ 32%
$122,400 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$326,100 ↑ 166%
$830/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↑ 70%
188,023
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $633/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $7,596/year.

Median household income is $15,765/year higher in Clearwater. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Brownsville or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Clearwater?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $633/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Clearwater?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $15,765/year higher in Clearwater.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Clearwater details →

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