Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Brownsville is 30% cheaper than Lafayette.

$906/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↑ 18%
$48,675/yr ↓ 21%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↑ 26%
$122,400 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 105%
$830/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↑ 27%
188,023
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $159/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $1,908/year.

Median household income is $12,779/year higher in Lafayette. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Brownsville or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Lafayette?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $159/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Lafayette?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $12,779/year higher in Lafayette.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Louisiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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