Brownsville-Harlingen, TX Cost of Living & Economic Score
Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living and household-budget data for the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metropolitan statistical area.
Cost of living in Brownsville-Harlingen
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices in the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metropolitan area run 15.0% below the U.S. average (Regional Price Parity index 85.0 on a base of 100). That puts Brownsville-Harlingen among the most affordable metros nationally.
For broader state context — including state taxes, insurance, and energy costs that affect every Texas household — see the Texas state report.
Other Texas metros
- Austin-Round Rock, TX RPP 103.5 C-
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX RPP 101.0 C
- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX RPP 97.0 C+
- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX RPP 95.5 C+
- Tyler, TX RPP 90.0 B
- McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX RPP 85.0 B+
- El Paso, TX RPP 88.0 B
Compare to similar-cost metros
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX?
The Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro area has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 85.0 (U.S.=100), meaning prices are 15.0% below the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Is Brownsville-Harlingen an affordable place to live?
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX has an InflationRank score of 87/100 (grade B+), reflecting above-average affordability relative to U.S. metros. The metro RPP of 85.0 compares to a U.S. baseline of 100.
How does Brownsville-Harlingen compare to other cities for cost of living?
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.0 (U.S.=100), 15.0% below the national average. Similar-cost metros include McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX (RPP 85.0), Jackson, MS (RPP 85.0).
About the InflationRank Score
The InflationRank Score is a proprietary 0–100 composite that summarizes a metro area's cost-of-living and economic conditions on a familiar A–F grading scale. The composite weighs cost level, inflation pressure, and income resilience, sourced from federal government datasets and reviewed annually as federal data refreshes.
Underlying data is drawn from authoritative federal economic agencies and public housing datasets. See full data sources →