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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Murrieta

California
175

Brownsville is 69% cheaper than Murrieta.

$906/mo ↓ 61%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 157%
$48,675/yr ↓ 56%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↑ 126%
$122,400 ↓ 80%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 396%
$830/mo ↓ 65%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 187%
188,023
Population
111,621

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
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,424/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $17,088/year.

Median household income is $61,105/year higher in Murrieta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Murrieta — common questions

Is Brownsville or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Murrieta?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $1,424/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Murrieta?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $61,105/year higher in Murrieta.
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 Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Murrieta details →

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