Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Brownsville is 59% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$906/mo ↓ 49%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 96%
$48,675/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 64%
$122,400 ↓ 73%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 272%
$830/mo ↓ 53%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 114%
188,023
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $870/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $10,440/year.

Median household income is $31,260/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Brownsville or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $870/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $31,260/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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