Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Brownsville is 49% cheaper than Paterson.

$906/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↑ 61%
$48,675/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↑ 10%
$122,400 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$335,400 ↑ 174%
$830/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↑ 87%
188,023
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
1.6%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $551/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $6,612/year.

Median household income is $5,091/year higher in Paterson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over New Jersey's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Paterson — common questions

Is Brownsville or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Paterson?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $551/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Paterson?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $5,091/year higher in Paterson.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New Jersey?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Paterson details →

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