Cost of Living: Tulsa, OK vs Brownsville, TX (2026)

Tulsa

Oklahoma
67
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Tulsa is 24% more expensive than Brownsville.

$998/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 9%
$58,407/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 17%
$189,600 ↑ 55%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 35%
$1,027/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 19%
412,322
Population
188,023

Tax Comparison

4.75%
Income Tax
0%
4.5%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.9%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tulsa, OK and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $92/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $1,104/year.

Median household income is $9,732/year higher in Tulsa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tulsa is $189,600 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Brownsville residents a significant tax advantage over Oklahoma's 4.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tulsa vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Tulsa or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tulsa and Brownsville?
Median rent in Tulsa is $998/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $92/month.
Which city has higher income, Tulsa or Brownsville?
Median household income is $58,407 in Tulsa and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $9,732/year higher in Tulsa.
How do taxes compare between Oklahoma and Texas?
Oklahoma has 4.75% income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Tulsa or Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Tulsa has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $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 Tulsa details → View Brownsville details →

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