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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

San Francisco is 394% more expensive than Brownsville.

$2,419/mo ↑ 167%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 63%
$141,446/yr ↑ 191%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 66%
$1,380,500 ↑ 1028%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 91%
$2,620/mo ↑ 216%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 68%
836,321
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,513/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $18,156/year.

Median household income is $92,771/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 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

San Francisco vs Brownsville — common questions

Is San Francisco or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Brownsville?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $1,513/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Brownsville?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $92,771/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 Francisco details → View Brownsville details →

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