City Comparison

Brownsville vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

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

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

The Verdict

29.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 29.2%, with Brownsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to $106,000 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
109
Overland Park
Groceries
87
Brownsville
96
Overland Park
Utilities
79
Brownsville
98
Overland Park
Transportation
84
Brownsville
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $106,000 in Overland Park.

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $53,066 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $414,000. The $259,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,836 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $456/month in Overland Park. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville vs $392 in Overland Park. 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 102 in Overland Park. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $98,868 respectively. Overland Park 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 $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 29.2% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $106,000 in Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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