City Comparison
Brownsville vs Austin
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brownsville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brownsville
Austin
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brownsville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Austin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brownsville's average rent is
36% lower than Austin's.
| Metric | Brownsville | Austin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,800 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,800 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Austin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brownsville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $122,000 in Austin.
| Metric | Brownsville | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $65,250 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $122,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 64,604 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $93,658 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Brownsville runs warmer on average — a 76.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Brownsville comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brownsville sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brownsville | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Brownsville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Austin.
Brownsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brownsville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brownsville | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 75.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Brownsville.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brownsville | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,424 | 1,011,743 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.91% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.7 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brownsville
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Rapidly growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors driven by SpaceX operations in the region.
Abundant sunshine with an average of 261 sunny days per year and mild winter temperatures.
Rich cultural heritage, bilingual community, and close proximity to South Padre Island beaches and nature sanctuaries.
Expanding higher education and healthcare infrastructure anchored by UTRGV and regional medical centers.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures are high and humid, requiring heavy reliance on air conditioning.
Average household incomes and wages trail state and national benchmarks.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail or rapid transit options.
Vulnerability to severe weather events and tropical storms coming off the Gulf of Mexico.
Poverty rates remain above the national average despite recent economic diversification.
Austin
Advantages
Austin boasts a robust job market with a 2.1% job growth rate in 2024, outperforming many other major U.S. metros.
The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, ranking #1 for startup growth and business density, with over 7,000 new businesses in 2024.
Austin offers a high quality of life, ranking 15th globally in 2024, supported by its vibrant culture and numerous outdoor activities.
Crime rates in Austin saw significant decreases in the first quarter of 2024, contributing to an improved safety profile.
Several Austin healthcare facilities, including St. David's HealthCare, were recognized among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals in 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Austin is higher than the national average, primarily driven by elevated housing costs for both renters and buyers.
Austin experiences significant traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in transit, indicating high car dependency.
Despite overall high healthcare quality, some Austin-area hospitals received 'C' ratings for safety and quality standards in May 2024.
The median sale price of a home in Austin was $542,000 in May 2026, making homeownership challenging for many.
While public transit exists, Austin's city-wide Walk Score of 42 and Transit Score of 35 indicate that most errands require a car.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Brownsville
#229Texas, USA
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
76.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
72
Business
73
Austin
#602Texas, USA
39.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,250
Cost Index
101
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
85
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