Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Tyler, TX (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Tyler

Texas
79

Brownsville is 32% cheaper than Tyler.

$906/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$1,199/mo ↑ 32%
$48,675/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$65,527/yr ↑ 35%
$122,400 ↓ 43%
Home Value
$216,400 ↑ 77%
$830/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,170/mo ↑ 41%
188,023
Population
107,718

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Tyler, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $293/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $3,516/year.

Median household income is $16,852/year higher in Tyler. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $216,400 in Tyler.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Tyler — common questions

Is Brownsville or Tyler cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 79 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Tyler?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Tyler it's $1,199/month — a difference of $293/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Tyler?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $65,527 in Tyler. Median household income is $16,852/year higher in Tyler.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Tyler?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Tyler has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,199/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Tyler details →

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