This article was originally published on Crafting Your Home. A human contributor also wrote and edited the post.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas Finding an affordable place to live in Texas can feel like a challenge, especially for renters and homebuyers watching housing costs climb across much of the state.
But far from the high-profile markets of Austin, Dallas, and other major Texas metros, Brownsville offers a notably different housing picture.
South Texas’s largest city has relatively modest housing costs, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. For households willing to look beyond the state’s biggest metro areas, Brownsville could be an interesting addition to the list.
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Rent Is Below $1,000 in the Latest Census Data.
According to Census Bureau estimates covering 2020-2024, Brownsville’s median gross rent was $923 a month.
That figure is a median, not a guarantee. Apartment prices vary by location, size, condition, and amenities, and current asking rents can differ from Census estimates.
Still, the number provides a useful indication of the city’s overall housing costs.
For renters trying to keep a larger share of their paycheck after housing expenses, that distinction can matter.
Home Values Are Relatively Low, Too
Brownsville’s affordability isn’t limited to rentals.
The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $139,900 for 2020-2024.
For comparison purposes, that’s a relatively modest figure for a Texas city of Brownsville’s size.
The Census also reports median monthly owner costs of $1,497 for homeowners with a mortgage and $502 for homeowners without a mortgage during the same period.
Of course, prospective buyers need to consider today’s mortgage rates, property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, and closing costs. A home’s purchase price alone doesn’t determine the true cost of owning it.
Brownsville Is Bigger Than Many Affordable Alternatives
One reason Brownsville is worth watching is its size.
The Census Bureau estimates the city had 192,957 residents in July 2025, up from 186,738 in the 2020 Census.
That means someone considering Brownsville isn’t necessarily choosing between affordability and living in a small rural community.
The city provides a sizable population base and functions as an important center for the surrounding Rio Grande Valley.
The Affordability Picture Has a Caveat
The numbers have another side.
The Census Bureau reports a median household income of $52,130 in Brownsville for 2020–2024, measured in 2024 dollars. The city’s poverty rate was 23.7%.
Those figures are important context.
A city can have relatively inexpensive homes and apartments while still presenting financial challenges for residents if local wages are comparatively low.
Anyone considering a move should look at the entire household budget not simply the advertised rent or home price.
What About the Cost of Getting Around?
Transportation is another factor prospective residents should consider.
Census data show Brownsville’s average commute to work was 21.4 minutes for workers age 16 and older during 2020–2024.
For some households, a shorter commute can offset some of the savings from cheaper housing elsewhere.
That is why comparing housing costs alongside commuting, fuel, insurance, and vehicle expenses can provide a much more realistic picture of affordability.
Why Brownsville Stands Out
Brownsville isn’t the only affordable community in Texas, and the city’s housing market won’t be the right fit for everyone.
But its combination of a population approaching 200,000, a $923 median gross rent, and a $139,900 median owner-occupied home value makes it an interesting option for people researching lower-cost Texas communities.
The city also offers a very different lifestyle from Texas’ largest urban centers, thanks to its location in the Rio Grande Valley and its proximity to the Gulf Coast and Mexico.
For someone who doesn’t need to live in a major metropolitan area, that trade-off could be worth exploring.
The Bottom Line
If you’re searching for affordable places to live in Texas, don’t limit your research to the state’s biggest cities.
Brownsville’s latest Census figures show a community where housing costs remain comparatively moderate, especially when you look at median rent and owner-occupied home values.
The important thing is to look beyond one number. Local salaries, taxes, insurance, transportation, and current housing listings all affect how affordable a city actually feels to an individual household.
But for renters and buyers looking for a Texas city where housing may take up less of the budget, Brownsville is a market worth keeping on the radar.
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