Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Elk Grove, CA (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Elk Grove

California
168

Brownsville is 68% cheaper than Elk Grove.

$906/mo ↓ 58%
Median Rent
$2,180/mo ↑ 141%
$48,675/yr ↓ 60%
Median Income
$122,229/yr ↑ 151%
$122,400 ↓ 80%
Home Value
$603,400 ↑ 393%
$830/mo ↓ 63%
Owner Costs
$2,227/mo ↑ 168%
188,023
Population
177,221

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
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Elk Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 168 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,274/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $15,288/year.

Median household income is $73,554/year higher in Elk Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $603,400 in Elk Grove.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Elk Grove — common questions

Is Brownsville or Elk Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 168 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Elk Grove?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Elk Grove it's $2,180/month — a difference of $1,274/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Elk Grove?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $122,229 in Elk Grove. Median household income is $73,554/year higher in Elk Grove.
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 Elk Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Elk Grove has a cost index of 168 with rent of $2,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Elk Grove details →

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