City Comparison

Brownsville vs Denton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

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

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

The Verdict

30.6%

Living in Brownsville costs 30.6% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Brownsville, you would need $108,000 in Denton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
126
Denton
Groceries
87
Brownsville
98
Denton
Utilities
79
Brownsville
90
Denton
Transportation
84
Brownsville
87
Denton
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
81
Denton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $108,000 in Denton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Denton equals $52,083 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Denton

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Denton's 126, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $385,000. The $230,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,952 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,425/mo in Denton, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 98 in Denton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $466/month in Denton. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 90 in Denton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville vs $360 in Denton. 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 92 in Brownsville and 81 in Denton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,100 in Brownsville and $73,700 in Denton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $68,241 respectively. Brownsville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $1,720/month in Denton. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 30.6% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $108,000 in Denton, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Denton's is 126 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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