City Comparison

Brownsville vs Irving

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

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

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

The Verdict

25.0%

Living in Brownsville costs 25.0% less than Irving. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Brownsville, you would need $100,000 in Irving.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
94
Irving
Groceries
87
Brownsville
99
Irving
Utilities
79
Brownsville
111
Irving
Transportation
84
Brownsville
97
Irving
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
103
Irving

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Irving.

Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $56,250 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Irving

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $318,000. The $163,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $470/month in Irving. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville vs $444 in Irving. 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 103 in Irving. 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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $73,400 respectively. Irving residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $1,713/month in Irving. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 25.0% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,000 in Irving, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Irving's is 94 with median homes at $318,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases