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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Brownsville is 61% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$906/mo ↓ 51%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 103%
$48,675/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↑ 74%
$122,400 ↓ 74%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 291%
$830/mo ↓ 54%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↑ 116%
188,023
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $936/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $11,232/year.

Median household income is $35,942/year higher in Santa Maria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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 Maria — common questions

Is Brownsville or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $936/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $35,942/year higher in Santa Maria.
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 Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Santa Maria details →

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