Brownsville, TX vs Pharr, TX

Brownsville, TX and Pharr, TX have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Brownsville scores 68 while Pharr scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Brownsville is $906/month compared to $990/month in Pharr — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brownsville has cheaper rent, Pharr actually has lower median home values ($111,500 vs $122,400).

Median household income in Brownsville is $48,675 compared to $49,884 in Pharr (-2.4%). The higher salaries in Pharr partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brownsville spend roughly 22.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in Pharr.