City Comparison

Brownsville vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

13.8%

Living in Brownsville costs 13.8% less than Springdale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Brownsville, you would need $87,000 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
86
Springdale
Groceries
87
Brownsville
97
Springdale
Utilities
79
Brownsville
93
Springdale
Transportation
84
Brownsville
91
Springdale
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $87,000 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $64,655 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $299,000. The $144,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,360 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $461/month in Springdale. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville vs $372 in Springdale. 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 82 in Springdale. 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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 13.8% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,000 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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