Brownsville vs Memphis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Brownsville
Memphis
The Verdict
Living in Brownsville costs 10.7% less than Memphis. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Brownsville, you would need $84,000 in Memphis.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $84,000 in Memphis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $66,964 in Brownsville.
Living in Brownsville vs Memphis
Housing Costs
Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $155,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $442/month in Memphis. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville vs $352 in Memphis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Brownsville and 92 in Memphis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,100 in Brownsville and $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $49,081 respectively. Brownsville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $962/month in Memphis. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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