City Comparison

Brownsville vs Murfreesboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

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

Murfreesboro

Tennessee
93
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

19.4%

Living in Brownsville costs 19.4% less than Murfreesboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Brownsville, you would need $93,000 in Murfreesboro.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
85
Murfreesboro
Groceries
87
Brownsville
95
Murfreesboro
Utilities
79
Brownsville
89
Murfreesboro
Transportation
84
Brownsville
97
Murfreesboro
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
96
Murfreesboro

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $93,000 in Murfreesboro.

Conversely, $75,000 in Murfreesboro equals $60,484 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Murfreesboro

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Murfreesboro's 85, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $325,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 95 in Murfreesboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $451/month in Murfreesboro. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 89 in Murfreesboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville vs $356 in Murfreesboro. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Brownsville and 96 in Murfreesboro. 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 $55,200 in Murfreesboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $59,355 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 $1,288/month in Murfreesboro. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Murfreesboro, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 19.4% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,000 in Murfreesboro, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Murfreesboro's is 85 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases