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

Oakland

California
195
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Oakland is 261% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,917/mo ↑ 112%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 53%
$97,369/yr ↑ 100%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 50%
$924,700 ↑ 655%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 87%
$2,164/mo ↑ 161%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 62%
438,072
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,011/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $12,132/year.

Median household income is $48,694/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 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

Oakland vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Oakland or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Brownsville?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $1,011/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Brownsville?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $48,694/year higher in Oakland.
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 Oakland or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Brownsville details →

More Comparisons

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