Cost of Living: Scottsdale, AZ vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Scottsdale

Arizona
165
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Scottsdale is 206% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,910/mo ↑ 111%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 53%
$107,372/yr ↑ 121%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 55%
$709,900 ↑ 480%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 83%
$1,824/mo ↑ 120%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 54%
242,169
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.62%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Scottsdale, AZ and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 165 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,004/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $12,048/year.

Median household income is $58,697/year higher in Scottsdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Scottsdale is $709,900 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scottsdale vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Scottsdale or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 165 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Scottsdale and Brownsville?
Median rent in Scottsdale is $1,910/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $1,004/month.
Which city has higher income, Scottsdale or Brownsville?
Median household income is $107,372 in Scottsdale and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $58,697/year higher in Scottsdale.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Texas?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Scottsdale or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Scottsdale has a cost index of 165 with median rent of $1,910/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 Scottsdale details → View Brownsville details →

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