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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Ontario

California
152

Brownsville is 64% cheaper than Ontario.

$906/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 111%
$48,675/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↑ 70%
$122,400 ↓ 78%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 364%
$830/mo ↓ 58%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 137%
188,023
Population
178,347

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
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,010/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $12,120/year.

Median household income is $34,131/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Ontario — common questions

Is Brownsville or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Ontario?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $1,010/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Ontario?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $34,131/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Ontario details →

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