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

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Brownsville is 69% cheaper than Santa Rosa.

$906/mo ↓ 57%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↑ 130%
$48,675/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↑ 100%
$122,400 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$685,000 ↑ 460%
$830/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↑ 157%
188,023
Population
177,216

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,178/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $14,136/year.

Median household income is $48,735/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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 Rosa — common questions

Is Brownsville or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $1,178/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $48,735/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Santa Rosa details →

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