Brownsville, FL vs Surfside, FL

The cost of living difference between Brownsville, FL and Surfside, FL is dramatic. Brownsville is 36.6% cheaper than Surfside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brownsville has a cost index of 98 while Surfside sits at 154, 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 Brownsville is $1,157/month compared to $1,795/month in Surfside — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brownsville is more affordable at $285,100 median vs $736,800.

Median household income in Brownsville is $38,460 compared to $88,938 in Surfside (-56.8%). While Surfside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brownsville spend roughly 36.1% of their income on rent, more than the 24.2% in Surfside. The Surfside ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.