Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

El Paso is 24% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,041/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 13%
$58,734/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 17%
$171,700 ↑ 40%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 29%
$1,044/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 20%
678,147
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $135/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $1,620/year.

Median household income is $10,059/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Brownsville — common questions

Is El Paso or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Brownsville?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $135/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Brownsville?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $10,059/year higher in El Paso.
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 El Paso or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Brownsville details →

More Comparisons

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