Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Tampa is 109% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,567/mo ↑ 73%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 42%
$71,302/yr ↑ 46%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 32%
$375,300 ↑ 207%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 67%
$1,553/mo ↑ 87%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 47%
393,389
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $661/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $7,932/year.

Median household income is $22,627/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Tampa or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Brownsville?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $661/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Brownsville?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $22,627/year higher in Tampa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Texas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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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