Cost of Living: Kansas City, MO vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Kansas City

Missouri
80
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Kansas City is 48% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,186/mo ↑ 31%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 24%
$67,449/yr ↑ 39%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 28%
$227,000 ↑ 85%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 46%
$1,205/mo ↑ 45%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 31%
508,233
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Kansas City, MO and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $280/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $3,360/year.

Median household income is $18,774/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Kansas City is $227,000 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Kansas City or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Kansas City and Brownsville?
Median rent in Kansas City is $1,186/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $280/month.
Which city has higher income, Kansas City or Brownsville?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $18,774/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Texas?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Kansas City or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Kansas City has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,186/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 Kansas City details → View Brownsville details →

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