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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Fullerton

California
195

Brownsville is 72% cheaper than Fullerton.

$906/mo ↓ 57%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↑ 134%
$48,675/yr ↓ 53%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↑ 114%
$122,400 ↓ 86%
Home Value
$859,600 ↑ 602%
$830/mo ↓ 63%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↑ 171%
188,023
Population
141,278

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,218/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $14,616/year.

Median household income is $55,544/year higher in Fullerton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Fullerton — common questions

Is Brownsville or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Fullerton?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $1,218/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Fullerton?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $55,544/year higher in Fullerton.
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 Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Fullerton details →

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