Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Salem, OR (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Salem

Oregon
105

Brownsville is 49% cheaper than Salem.

$906/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$1,323/mo ↑ 46%
$48,675/yr ↓ 32%
Median Income
$71,900/yr ↑ 48%
$122,400 ↓ 68%
Home Value
$382,400 ↑ 212%
$830/mo ↓ 42%
Owner Costs
$1,440/mo ↑ 73%
188,023
Population
176,666

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.9%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Salem, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $417/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $5,004/year.

Median household income is $23,225/year higher in Salem. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $382,400 in Salem.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Oregon's 9.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Salem — common questions

Is Brownsville or Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Salem?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Salem it's $1,323/month — a difference of $417/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Salem?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $71,900 in Salem. Median household income is $23,225/year higher in Salem.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Oregon?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Salem has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,323/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Salem details →

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