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

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Fayetteville is 35% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,179/mo ↑ 30%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 23%
$56,395/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 14%
$171,900 ↑ 40%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 29%
$1,156/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 28%
209,692
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $273/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $3,276/year.

Median household income is $7,720/year higher in Fayetteville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Brownsville?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $273/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Brownsville?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $7,720/year higher in Fayetteville.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Texas?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% 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 Fayetteville or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/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 Fayetteville details → View Brownsville details →

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