Cost of Living: Seattle, WA vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Seattle

Washington
196
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Seattle is 263% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,998/mo ↑ 121%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 55%
$121,984/yr ↑ 151%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 60%
$912,100 ↑ 645%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 87%
$2,220/mo ↑ 167%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 63%
741,440
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.92%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Seattle, WA and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 196 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,092/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $13,104/year.

Median household income is $73,309/year higher in Seattle. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Seattle is $912,100 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Seattle or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 196 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Brownsville?
Median rent in Seattle is $1,998/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $1,092/month.
Which city has higher income, Seattle or Brownsville?
Median household income is $121,984 in Seattle and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $73,309/year higher in Seattle.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Texas?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Seattle or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Seattle has a cost index of 196 with median rent of $1,998/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 Seattle details → View Brownsville details →

More Comparisons

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