Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Knoxville is 37% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,116/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 19%
$50,994/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 5%
$214,000 ↑ 75%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 43%
$1,075/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 23%
193,721
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $210/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $2,520/year.

Median household income is $2,319/year higher in Knoxville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Knoxville or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Brownsville?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $210/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Brownsville?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $2,319/year higher in Knoxville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Texas?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/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 Knoxville details → View Brownsville details →

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