CostIndexUSA

Amarillo, TX vs Brownsville, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Amarillo
91.8
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Brownsville
86
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Brownsville is moderately cheaper than Amarillo — 6.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $74,900 in Brownsville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing26.4%
Amarillo
78.4
Brownsville
57.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Amarillo
93.8
Brownsville
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Amarillo
101.1
Brownsville
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Amarillo
91.4
Brownsville
91.4
Utilities2.8%
Amarillo
83.5
Brownsville
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Amarillo to see what you'd need to earn in Brownsville to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Brownsville, TX
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in Brownsville

Formula: salary × (86 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 0.9368. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Amarillo, TX

Median Home Price
$211,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
78.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Brownsville, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
57.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.7×

Amarillo has 26.4% lower housing costs compared to Brownsville.

Income & Job Market

Amarillo, TX

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
200,393
Top Industries
AgricultureEnergyHealthcareManufacturingRetail

Brownsville, TX

Median Household Income
$52,200
Per Capita Income
$29,800
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
183,392
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Amarillo, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Brownsville, TX
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.