Brownsville, TX vs Plano, TX

The cost of living difference between Brownsville, TX and Plano, TX is dramatic. Brownsville is 46.6% cheaper than Plano, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brownsville has a cost index of 68 while Plano sits at 126, 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 $906/month compared to $1,792/month in Plano — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brownsville is more affordable at $122,400 median vs $440,600.

Median household income in Brownsville is $48,675 compared to $108,649 in Plano (-55.2%). While Plano 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 22.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Plano.