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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Sacramento is 144% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,694/mo ↑ 87%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 47%
$83,753/yr ↑ 72%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 42%
$484,600 ↑ 296%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 75%
$1,752/mo ↑ 111%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 53%
524,802
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $788/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $9,456/year.

Median household income is $35,078/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 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

Sacramento vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Sacramento or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Brownsville?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $788/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Brownsville?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $35,078/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Brownsville details →

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