CostIndexUSA

Brownsville, TX vs Garland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Brownsville
86
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
TX
Garland
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Brownsville is significantly cheaper than Garland — 19.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Brownsville, you would need $95,900 in Garland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+104.3%
Brownsville
57.7
Garland
117.9
🛒 Groceries+9.6%
Brownsville
93.8
Garland
102.8
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Brownsville
101.1
Garland
104.7
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Brownsville
91.4
Garland
94.7
Utilities+11.7%
Brownsville
81.2
Garland
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Garland, TX
$95,900
$15,900 more needed in Garland

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 86) = salary × 1.1988. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Brownsville, TX

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

Garland, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Garland has 104.3% higher housing costs compared to Brownsville.

Income & Job Market

Brownsville, TX

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

Garland, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
246,018
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyRetailLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

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

Brownsville, TX
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Garland, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.