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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Brownsville is 82% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$906/mo ↓ 70%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 229%
$48,675/yr ↓ 72%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 257%
$122,400 ↓ 92%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 1148%
$830/mo ↓ 73%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 268%
188,023
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $2,079/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $24,948/year.

Median household income is $124,995/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is Brownsville or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $2,079/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $124,995/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Santa Clara details →

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