Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Brownsville is 41% cheaper than North Charleston.

$906/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 51%
$48,675/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↑ 29%
$122,400 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$267,700 ↑ 119%
$830/mo ↓ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↑ 58%
188,023
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $458/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $5,496/year.

Median household income is $14,114/year higher in North Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Brownsville or North Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and North Charleston?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $458/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or North Charleston?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $14,114/year higher in North Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while North Charleston has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View North Charleston details →

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