Cost of Living: Brownsville, TX vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Brownsville

Texas
54
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Brownsville is 46% cheaper than Wilmington.

$906/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 45%
$48,675/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 31%
$122,400 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 186%
$830/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 65%
188,023
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Brownsville, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 54 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $405/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $4,860/year.

Median household income is $15,225/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Brownsville is $122,400 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Brownsville or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Brownsville and Wilmington?
Median rent in Brownsville is $906/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $405/month.
Which city has higher income, Brownsville or Wilmington?
Median household income is $48,675 in Brownsville and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $15,225/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Brownsville or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with median rent of $906/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Brownsville details → View Wilmington details →

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