Cost of Living: Omaha, NE vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Omaha

Nebraska
80
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Omaha is 48% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,150/mo ↑ 27%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 21%
$72,708/yr ↑ 49%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 33%
$230,100 ↑ 88%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 47%
$1,249/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 34%
488,197
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

6.64%
Income Tax
0%
5.5%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.73%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Omaha, NE and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $244/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $2,928/year.

Median household income is $24,033/year higher in Omaha. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Omaha is $230,100 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Nebraska's 6.64% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Omaha vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Omaha 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 Omaha and Brownsville?
Median rent in Omaha is $1,150/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $244/month.
Which city has higher income, Omaha or Brownsville?
Median household income is $72,708 in Omaha and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $24,033/year higher in Omaha.
How do taxes compare between Nebraska and Texas?
Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Omaha or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Omaha has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,150/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 Omaha details → View Brownsville details →

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