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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Hayward

California
200

Brownsville is 73% cheaper than Hayward.

$906/mo ↓ 62%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 160%
$48,675/yr ↓ 57%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↑ 134%
$122,400 ↓ 85%
Home Value
$820,700 ↑ 571%
$830/mo ↓ 66%
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ↑ 192%
188,023
Population
159,201

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
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,454/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $17,448/year.

Median household income is $65,100/year higher in Hayward. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Hayward — common questions

Is Brownsville or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Hayward?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $1,454/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Hayward?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $65,100/year higher in Hayward.
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 Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Hayward details →

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