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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Brownsville is 75% cheaper than Pasadena.

$906/mo ↓ 59%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↑ 145%
$48,675/yr ↓ 53%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↑ 113%
$122,400 ↓ 88%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↑ 754%
$830/mo ↓ 65%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 182%
188,023
Population
136,462

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,312/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $15,744/year.

Median household income is $55,103/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Brownsville or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 220 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Pasadena?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $1,312/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Pasadena?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $55,103/year higher in Pasadena.
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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Pasadena details →

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