City Comparison

Antioch vs Brownsville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Antioch

California
147
Expensive
$610,000
Median Home
$2,250/mo
Median Rent
$97,500
Median Income

Brownsville

Texas
75
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$52,100
Median Income

The Verdict

96.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 96.0%, with Brownsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Antioch has equivalent purchasing power to $38,265 in Brownsville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
193
Antioch
58
Brownsville
Groceries
107
Antioch
87
Brownsville
Utilities
156
Antioch
79
Brownsville
Transportation
140
Antioch
84
Brownsville
Healthcare
122
Antioch
92
Brownsville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Antioch has the same purchasing power as $38,265 in Brownsville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Brownsville equals $147,000 in Antioch.

Living in Antioch vs Brownsville

Housing Costs

Antioch's housing index of 193 is higher Brownsville's 58, translating to median home prices of $610,000 vs $155,000. The $455,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,250/mo in Antioch compared to $875/mo in Brownsville, a monthly difference of $1,375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Antioch and 87 in Brownsville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Antioch vs $413/month in Brownsville. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1140/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 156 in Antioch and 79 in Brownsville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $624 in Antioch vs $316 in Brownsville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Antioch and 92 in Brownsville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $97,500 in Antioch and $52,100 in Brownsville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,327 and $69,467 respectively. Brownsville residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,275/month to housing in Antioch vs $1,216/month in Brownsville. In Antioch, median rent of $2,250/mo fits within this budget. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 135 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 96.0% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Antioch has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $38,265 in Brownsville, based on the cost of living difference.
Antioch's housing index is 193 with median homes at $610,000, while Brownsville's is 58 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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