Median 1BR rent is about 17.86% of gross income in Brownsville. In the monthly breakdown, Rent (housing) is the biggest lever for overall costs. In this area (lower-cost), the model’s rent math puts housing in a “Comfortable” bucket: rent looks comparatively manageable and rent (housing) is the main lever in the estimates.
Median rent (1BR)
$764/mo
Cost of living index
79.8 (U.S. = 100)
Rent cap @ 30%
$1,283/mo
Salary for the 30% rule
$30,560/yr
Cost-of-living tier: low
What drives the budget here?
This area is generally lower-cost based on a cost-of-living index of 79.8 (U.S. average = 100). Typical rent-to-gross is in the Comfortable range (using the page’s rent and income inputs).
In the site’s estimated monthly breakdown, the largest category is Rent (housing) (854/mo), so that’s the biggest lever for moving the overall budget up or down.
Practical next steps
Rent looks comparatively manageable for the typical household. Your biggest wins usually come from planning for the non-housing categories (utilities, groceries, etc.) so totals stay predictable.
In this area, the modeled rent target is reachable at (or below) the local median income level.
At the median household income of a one-bedroom at represents about of pre-tax income. The common affordability guideline suggests housing at or below of income; Brownsville sits within that range for the typical household.
A two-bedroom at is roughly 22% of median household income. Households at the median can typically afford the average two-bedroom while staying within the 30% rule.
Texas has no state income tax, which increases take-home pay compared with states that tax wages. For a given salary, residents keep more of their earnings, which can offset higher housing costs.
The cost-of-living index of 79.8 (U.S. = 100) puts Brownsville below the national average. Dollars often stretch further for housing and day-to-day expenses than in higher-cost metros.
Updated March 2026
Data source: U.S. Census ACS (county fallback; less precise) Note: This city uses county-level ACS estimates, which may differ from city-specific conditions.
Can you afford this city?
Quick check using the 30% rule: rent should not exceed 30% of gross income.
Use the calculator below to test your salary against Brownsville's housing costs.
Salary After Tax Calculator
Simplified estimate. Federal brackets and FICA only; no deductions modeled.
Estimated federal tax$10,453.00
Estimated state tax$0.00
Estimated FICA (7.65%)$5,355.00
Net annual income$54,192.00
Net monthly income$4,516.00
Effective tax rate22.6%
Rent Affordability Calculator
Rule of thumb: keep rent at 25–30% of gross income.
Rent-to-income30.0%
Affordable range (25–30%)$1,250 – $1,500/mo
Is $X Enough in Brownsville?
Data-driven estimates using this city's rent and tax figures.
Is $50k Enough in Brownsville?
Comfortable
A salary in Brownsville leaves about after federal, state, and FICA. A one-bedroom at is of gross income. After rent you'd have roughly for other expenses; our estimated monthly total is about . That makes k tight unless you keep rent at or below the 25–30% range (–). With no state income tax, your take-home is a bit higher than in states that tax wages. The median household in Brownsville earns about so at k you'd be below that.
Is $70k Enough in Brownsville?
Comfortable
With no state income tax, At take-home in Brownsville is roughly (single). The average one-bedroom () is of gross—within the guideline. Estimated total monthly costs are ~. k is typically workable for a single person in a one-bedroom here, with some room for savings if you keep discretionary spending in check. You'd be above the median household income in Brownsville ().
Is $100k Enough in Brownsville?
Comfortable
With in Brownsville, net monthly is about . A two-bedroom at is of gross. The affordable rent range at 25– is –, so you can comfortably afford the average one- or two-bedroom. Estimated total monthly outlay is ~. k generally allows a solid standard of living here, with room for savings and discretionary spending. No state income tax in Texas helps take-home. The median household income in Brownsville is so you'd be well above that.
Is $150k Enough in Brownsville?
Comfortable
With no state income tax, At in Brownsville, take-home is roughly . The city's median household income is about so you'd be well above the typical household. Average two-bedroom rent () is 8% of your gross. You can afford above-average housing, higher savings, and still cover our estimated monthly total (~) with room to spare.
Estimated Monthly Cost Breakdown
Rent (avg 1BR/2BR)
$854
Utilities
$143.64
Groceries
$335.16
Transportation
$303.24
Healthcare
$255.36
Misc
$279.3
Total estimated
$2,170.7
About Cost of Living in Brownsville
Brownsville, Texas, has a cost-of-living index of 79.8 against a U.S. average of 100, putting it below the national benchmark and often making dollars stretch further for essentials. Texas has no state income tax, which can mean higher take-home pay compared with high-tax states. Median household income here is about and median individual income around . A one-bedroom at is roughly 18% of that household income—within the 30% affordability rule of thumb. Rent levels run approximately for a one-bedroom and for a two-bedroom; the median home price is about . When planning a move or a budget, combine these figures with your own salary—and remember that with no state income tax, take-home in Brownsville may be higher than in comparable cities elsewhere. Income and rent inputs are based on ACS county-level estimates (fallback). Compare with other Texas cities.
The cost-of-living index for Brownsville is 79.8 (U.S. average = 100). That places it below the national average. Median household income is and a one-bedroom rents for about .
Using the housing guideline, a single person in a one-bedroom at would need roughly k gross annually. "Comfortable" depends on your spending; this covers housing at the guideline.
At median household income of a one-bedroom at is about of pre-tax income. The common guideline is or less; the typical household is within that range.
Texas has no state income tax. Take-home pay is higher than in states that tax wages. Federal and FICA taxes still apply.
Brownsville has a lower cost-of-living index (79.8 vs 92.1). One-bedroom rent is lower ( vs ).
At k, a one-bedroom at is about of gross income. That fits the housing guideline; many single earners can make it work.
Median household income in Brownsville is . k is above that. At k, a one-bedroom is about 9% of gross.
Rent in Brownsville is relatively low relative to local income. At median household income of a 1BR at is about of pre-tax income ( or less is often considered affordable).
For a one-bedroom at , an income of about k annually keeps rent at or below of gross. Comfort varies by household size and other expenses.
Some cities use county-level American Community Survey (ACS) estimates when place-level data is unavailable. County-level data may not reflect conditions specific to Brownsville and can differ from city-only figures.
Data Sources
ACS 2023IRS 2026Updated Mar 2026
Median income, median rent, median home value, population: U.S. Census ACS (2023 5-year estimates)
Cost of living index and monthly breakdown: estimated model
State and sales tax rates: curated state-level tables (not from Census)
Income and housing figures on this page are estimates for informational use. They are not official census or tax records. Median household and individual income, average rents, and median home price are derived from regional benchmarks and may not reflect the latest year or every neighborhood.
Tax rates reflect state-level averages. State income tax is a single rate for illustration; actual liability depends on brackets, deductions, and filing status. Sales tax can vary by county and city within a state.
The monthly cost breakdown (rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, misc) uses this city's average rent plus non-housing categories scaled by the cost-of-living index. It is a rough budget guide, not a personal expense audit.
The data quality field shown in the financial snapshot above (e.g. "estimated") indicates how the figures were produced. Always verify with official sources (Census, BLS, state revenue departments) before making financial decisions.
This content is educational and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice.
