Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Lakeland, FL (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Lakeland

Florida
82

Brownsville is 34% cheaper than Lakeland.

$906/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$1,299/mo ↑ 43%
$48,675/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$60,947/yr ↑ 25%
$122,400 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$229,100 ↑ 87%
$830/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,149/mo ↑ 38%
188,023
Population
117,030

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $393/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $4,716/year.

Median household income is $12,272/year higher in Lakeland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Lakeland — common questions

Is Brownsville or Lakeland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Lakeland?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $393/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Lakeland?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $12,272/year higher in Lakeland.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Lakeland?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Lakeland has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,299/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Lakeland details →

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