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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Long Beach is 213% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,803/mo ↑ 99%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 50%
$83,969/yr ↑ 73%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 42%
$762,200 ↑ 523%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 84%
$1,890/mo ↑ 128%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 56%
458,491
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $897/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $10,764/year.

Median household income is $35,294/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 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

Long Beach vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Long 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 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Brownsville?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $897/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Brownsville?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $35,294/year higher in Long 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 Long Beach or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/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 Long Beach details → View Brownsville details →

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