Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Brownsville is 41% cheaper than Palm Bay.

$906/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↑ 64%
$48,675/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↑ 39%
$122,400 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$248,000 ↑ 103%
$830/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↑ 45%
188,023
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $581/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $6,972/year.

Median household income is $18,846/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Brownsville or Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $581/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $18,846/year higher in Palm Bay.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Palm Bay details →

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