Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Brownsville is 57% cheaper than Surprise.

$906/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 112%
$48,675/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↑ 92%
$122,400 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$396,000 ↑ 224%
$830/mo ↓ 48%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↑ 91%
188,023
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,011/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $12,132/year.

Median household income is $44,696/year higher in Surprise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Surprise — common questions

Is Brownsville or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Surprise?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $1,011/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Surprise?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $44,696/year higher in Surprise.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Brownsville and Surprise

Brownsville vs. Akron Brownsville vs. Tempe Brownsville vs. Providence Brownsville vs. Paradise Brownsville vs. Glendale Brownsville vs. Mobile Surprise vs. Joliet Surprise vs. Naperville Surprise vs. Jackson Surprise vs. Pasadena Surprise vs. Escondido Surprise vs. Mesquite