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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Brownsville is 32% cheaper than Columbia.

$906/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↑ 28%
$48,675/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↑ 14%
$122,400 ↓ 50%
Home Value
$243,500 ↑ 99%
$830/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↑ 41%
188,023
Population
138,019

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
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $252/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $3,024/year.

Median household income is $6,978/year higher in Columbia. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

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 Columbia — common questions

Is Brownsville or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Columbia?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $252/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Columbia?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $6,978/year higher in Columbia.
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 Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Columbia has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,158/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Columbia details →

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