Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs College Station, TX (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Brownsville is 41% cheaper than College Station.

$906/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↑ 29%
$48,675/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↑ 6%
$122,400 ↓ 63%
Home Value
$326,500 ↑ 167%
$830/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↑ 51%
188,023
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $262/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $3,144/year.

Median household income is $3,101/year higher in College Station. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs College Station — common questions

Is Brownsville or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and College Station?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $262/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or College Station?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $3,101/year higher in College Station.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View College Station details →

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