Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Brownsville is 59% cheaper than Meridian.

$906/mo ↓ 47%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 89%
$48,675/yr ↓ 51%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 103%
$122,400 ↓ 75%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 296%
$830/mo ↓ 48%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 94%
188,023
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $808/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $9,696/year.

Median household income is $50,011/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Meridian — common questions

Is Brownsville or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Meridian?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $808/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Meridian?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $50,011/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Idaho?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Brownsville and Meridian

Brownsville vs. Akron Brownsville vs. Tempe Brownsville vs. Providence Brownsville vs. Paradise Brownsville vs. Glendale Brownsville vs. Mobile Meridian vs. Palm Bay Meridian vs. Vallejo Meridian vs. Allentown Meridian vs. Round Rock Meridian vs. Thousand Oaks Meridian vs. Concord