Moving from Austin, TX to Brownsville, TX
It is a 351 mi drive, roughly 6h 22m, between Austin, TX and Brownsville, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
351 mi Β· 6h 22m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, I 37, I 69E |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, San Antonio, Corpus Christi |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.3% cheaper overall in Brownsville than Austin on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Austin | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.21 |
Brownsville households earn about 12.3% less than Austin at the median β $91,461 β $48,675 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $91,461 in Austin β a 46.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 351 mi and the route typically takes 6h 22m via US 77 and I 37. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 12.3% lower than Austin (85.975 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $508,530 in Austin β a 61.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX Β· Brownsville, TX.