Arlington, TX vs Brownsville, TX

The cost of living difference between Arlington, TX and Brownsville, TX is dramatic. Brownsville is 49.1% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 101 while Brownsville sits at 68, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month compared to $906/month in Brownsville — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brownsville is more affordable at $122,400 median vs $276,400.

Median household income in Arlington is $73,519 compared to $48,675 in Brownsville (+51%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 22.3% in Brownsville.