Brenham, TX vs Crystal City, TX

The cost of living difference between Brenham, TX and Crystal City, TX is dramatic. Crystal City is 60.3% cheaper than Brenham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brenham has a cost index of 86 while Crystal City sits at 54, 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 Brenham is $1,087/month compared to $445/month in Crystal City — a 144% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Crystal City is more affordable at $86,500 median vs $223,200.

Median household income in Brenham is $57,207 compared to $38,598 in Crystal City (+48.2%). The higher salaries in Brenham partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brenham spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, more than the 13.8% in Crystal City.