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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Lancaster

California
124

Brownsville is 56% cheaper than Lancaster.

$906/mo ↓ 47%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↑ 87%
$48,675/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↑ 56%
$122,400 ↓ 70%
Home Value
$409,100 ↑ 234%
$830/mo ↓ 52%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↑ 110%
188,023
Population
170,013

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $790/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $9,480/year.

Median household income is $27,408/year higher in Lancaster. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Lancaster — common questions

Is Brownsville or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 124 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Lancaster?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $790/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Lancaster?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $27,408/year higher in Lancaster.
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 Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Lancaster details →

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