Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Kansas City, KS (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Kansas City

Kansas City
65

Brownsville is 17% cheaper than Kansas City.

$906/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,073/mo ↑ 18%
$48,675/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$59,183/yr ↑ 22%
$122,400 ↓ 17%
Home Value
$147,100 ↑ 20%
$830/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,054/mo ↑ 27%
188,023
Population
154,776

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Kansas City, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $167/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $2,004/year.

Median household income is $10,508/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $147,100 in Kansas City.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas City's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Kansas City — common questions

Is Brownsville or Kansas City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 65 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Kansas City?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Kansas City it's $1,073/month — a difference of $167/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Kansas City?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $59,183 in Kansas City. Median household income is $10,508/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Kansas?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Kansas City has a cost index of 65 with rent of $1,073/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Kansas City details →

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