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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Garden Grove

California
176

Brownsville is 69% cheaper than Garden Grove.

$906/mo ↓ 54%
Median Rent
$1,971/mo ↑ 118%
$48,675/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$90,166/yr ↑ 85%
$122,400 ↓ 84%
Home Value
$765,500 ↑ 525%
$830/mo ↓ 59%
Owner Costs
$2,016/mo ↑ 143%
188,023
Population
170,603

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
26.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Garden Grove, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 176 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,065/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $12,780/year.

Median household income is $41,491/year higher in Garden Grove. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $765,500 in Garden 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 Garden Grove — common questions

Is Brownsville or Garden Grove cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Garden Grove?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Garden Grove it's $1,971/month — a difference of $1,065/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Garden Grove?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $90,166 in Garden Grove. Median household income is $41,491/year higher in Garden 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 Garden Grove?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Garden Grove has a cost index of 176 with rent of $1,971/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Garden Grove details →

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