City Comparison

Brownsville vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

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

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

14.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.8%, with Brownsville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to $88,000 in Vienna.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
105
Vienna
Groceries
87
Brownsville
85
Vienna
Utilities
79
Brownsville
98
Vienna
Transportation
84
Brownsville
102
Vienna
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $88,000 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $63,920 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $395,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $404/month in Vienna. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville vs $392 in Vienna. 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 Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 14.8% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,000 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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