CostIndexUSA

Brownsville, TX vs Santa Rosa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Brownsville
86
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Brownsville is significantly cheaper than Santa Rosa — 25.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Brownsville, you would need $100,300 in Santa Rosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+141.9%
Brownsville
57.7
Santa Rosa
139.6
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
Brownsville
93.8
Santa Rosa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.2%
Brownsville
101.1
Santa Rosa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.3%
Brownsville
91.4
Santa Rosa
95.3
Utilities+90.6%
Brownsville
81.2
Santa Rosa
154.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Brownsville to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Rosa to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Rosa, CA
$100,300
$20,300 more needed in Santa Rosa

Formula: salary × (107.8 ÷ 86) = salary × 1.2535. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Brownsville, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
57.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.7×

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,600
Housing Index
139.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Santa Rosa has 141.9% higher housing costs compared to Brownsville.

Income & Job Market

Brownsville, TX

Median Household Income
$52,200
Per Capita Income
$29,800
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
183,392
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Household Income
$100,700
Per Capita Income
$57,400
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
178,127
Top Industries
HealthcareAgricultureTourismTechnologyRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Brownsville, TX
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Rosa, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.