Cost of Living: Honolulu, HI vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Honolulu

Hawaii
175
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Honolulu is 224% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,783/mo ↑ 97%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 49%
$85,428/yr ↑ 76%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 43%
$834,100 ↑ 581%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 85%
$1,809/mo ↑ 118%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 54%
346,323
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

11.0%
Income Tax
0%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.32%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Honolulu, HI and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 175 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $877/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $10,524/year.

Median household income is $36,753/year higher in Honolulu. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Honolulu is $834,100 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Hawaii's 11.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honolulu vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Honolulu or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Honolulu and Brownsville?
Median rent in Honolulu is $1,783/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $877/month.
Which city has higher income, Honolulu or Brownsville?
Median household income is $85,428 in Honolulu and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $36,753/year higher in Honolulu.
How do taxes compare between Hawaii and Texas?
Hawaii has 11.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.32% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Honolulu or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Honolulu has a cost index of 175 with median rent of $1,783/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 Honolulu details → View Brownsville details →

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