Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Huntington Beach is 320% more expensive than Brownsville.

$2,424/mo ↑ 168%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 63%
$119,885/yr ↑ 146%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 59%
$1,047,300 ↑ 756%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 88%
$2,436/mo ↑ 193%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 66%
196,010
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,518/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $18,216/year.

Median household income is $71,210/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Brownsville?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $1,518/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Brownsville?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $71,210/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/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 Huntington Beach details → View Brownsville details →

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