Tucson vs Brownsville: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Tucson, Arizona compare to Brownsville, 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 94% higher in Tucson compared to Brownsville, while rent is 14% higher. TX has no state income tax.
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Brownsville, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $218,200 | $112,600 | +93.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $991 | $872 | +13.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $52,049 | $46,735 | +11.4% |
| Per Capita Income | $29,009 | $19,704 | +47.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 2.5% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.4% | 8.2% | +2.1% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 541,033 | 186,999 | +189.3% |
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 — Tucson
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 — 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.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Tucson costs $218,200 compared to $112,600 in Brownsville — a 94% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $991/mo in Tucson vs $872/mo in Brownsville.
- Income: Median household income is $52,049 in Tucson and $46,735 in Brownsville.
- Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, while Arizona has a 2.5% rate.
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).