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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Brownsville is 68% cheaper than Fairfield.

$906/mo ↓ 59%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 142%
$48,675/yr ↓ 52%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 110%
$122,400 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 384%
$830/mo ↓ 63%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 168%
188,023
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,285/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $15,420/year.

Median household income is $53,646/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Brownsville or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Fairfield?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $1,285/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Fairfield?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $53,646/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Fairfield details →

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