Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Olathe, KS (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Olathe

Kansas
104

Brownsville is 48% cheaper than Olathe.

$906/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,314/mo ↑ 45%
$48,675/yr ↓ 57%
Median Income
$112,232/yr ↑ 131%
$122,400 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$340,600 ↑ 178%
$830/mo ↓ 50%
Owner Costs
$1,662/mo ↑ 100%
188,023
Population
143,720

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
14.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Olathe, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $408/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $4,896/year.

Median household income is $63,557/year higher in Olathe. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $340,600 in Olathe.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Olathe — common questions

Is Brownsville or Olathe cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Olathe?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Olathe it's $1,314/month — a difference of $408/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Olathe?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $112,232 in Olathe. Median household income is $63,557/year higher in Olathe.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Kansas?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Olathe?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Olathe has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,314/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Olathe details →

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