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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Metairie

Louisiana
88

Brownsville is 39% cheaper than Metairie.

$906/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,159/mo ↑ 28%
$48,675/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$73,256/yr ↑ 51%
$122,400 ↓ 60%
Home Value
$308,900 ↑ 152%
$830/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,186/mo ↑ 43%
188,023
Population
138,995

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
19.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Metairie, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $253/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $3,036/year.

Median household income is $24,581/year higher in Metairie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $308,900 in Metairie.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Metairie — common questions

Is Brownsville or Metairie cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Metairie?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Metairie it's $1,159/month — a difference of $253/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Metairie?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $73,256 in Metairie. Median household income is $24,581/year higher in Metairie.
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 Metairie?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Metairie has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,159/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Metairie details →

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