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

Santa Ana

California
163
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Santa Ana is 202% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,975/mo ↑ 118%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 54%
$88,354/yr ↑ 82%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 45%
$657,800 ↑ 437%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 81%
$1,965/mo ↑ 137%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 58%
311,639
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Ana, CA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 163 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,069/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $12,828/year.

Median household income is $39,679/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Ana is $657,800 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

Santa Ana vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Santa Ana or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Ana and Brownsville?
Median rent in Santa Ana is $1,975/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $1,069/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Ana or Brownsville?
Median household income is $88,354 in Santa Ana and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $39,679/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with median rent of $1,975/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.
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More Comparisons

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