Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

San Antonio is 52% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,258/mo ↑ 39%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 28%
$62,917/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 23%
$219,700 ↑ 79%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 44%
$1,235/mo ↑ 49%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 33%
1,458,954
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $352/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $4,224/year.

Median household income is $14,242/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Brownsville — common questions

Is San Antonio or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Brownsville?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $352/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Brownsville?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $14,242/year higher in San Antonio.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Texas?
Both cities are in Texas and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Brownsville details →

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