Cost of Living: Chesapeake, VA vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Chesapeake

Virginia
112
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Chesapeake is 107% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,523/mo ↑ 68%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 41%
$94,189/yr ↑ 94%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 48%
$359,100 ↑ 193%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 66%
$1,680/mo ↑ 102%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 51%
251,153
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chesapeake, VA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 112 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $617/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $7,404/year.

Median household income is $45,514/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chesapeake is $359,100 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chesapeake vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Chesapeake or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chesapeake and Brownsville?
Median rent in Chesapeake is $1,523/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $617/month.
Which city has higher income, Chesapeake or Brownsville?
Median household income is $94,189 in Chesapeake and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $45,514/year higher in Chesapeake.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Texas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Chesapeake or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with median rent of $1,523/mo, while Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with rent of $906/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chesapeake details → View Brownsville details →

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