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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Nashville is 104% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,486/mo ↑ 64%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 39%
$75,197/yr ↑ 54%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 35%
$383,100 ↑ 213%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 68%
$1,471/mo ↑ 77%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 44%
684,298
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $580/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $6,960/year.

Median household income is $26,522/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Nashville or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Brownsville?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $580/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Brownsville?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $26,522/year higher in Nashville.
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 Nashville or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View Brownsville details →

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