Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

Brownsville is 60% cheaper than East Los Angeles.

$906/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↑ 58%
$48,675/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↑ 40%
$122,400 ↓ 80%
Home Value
$613,600 ↑ 401%
$830/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↑ 76%
188,023
Population
114,617

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $525/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $6,300/year.

Median household income is $19,703/year higher in East Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is Brownsville or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $525/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $19,703/year higher in East Los Angeles.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View East Los Angeles details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Brownsville and East Los Angeles

Brownsville vs. Akron Brownsville vs. Tempe Brownsville vs. Providence Brownsville vs. Paradise Brownsville vs. Glendale Brownsville vs. Mobile East Los Angeles vs. Lowell East Los Angeles vs. Carlsbad East Los Angeles vs. League City East Los Angeles vs. Waterbury East Los Angeles vs. High Point East Los Angeles vs. Provo