Brownsville vs Laredo: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Brownsville, Texas compare to Laredo, Texas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Brownsville is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 32% lower in Brownsville compared to Laredo, while rent is 10% lower.
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $112,600 | $164,400 | -31.5% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 | $968 | -9.9% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $60,928 | -23.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $19,704 | $23,669 | -16.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 8.2% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 186,999 | 255,293 | -26.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Brownsville
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Laredo
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Brownsville costs $112,600 compared to $164,400 in Laredo — a 32% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $872/mo in Brownsville vs $968/mo in Laredo.
- Income: Median household income is $46,735 in Brownsville and $60,928 in Laredo.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).