Moving from Houston, TX to Brownsville, TX
Relocating between Houston, TX and Brownsville, TX is a 353 mi drive β 6h 43m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
353 mi Β· 6h 43m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, US 59, I 69E |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Corpus Christi |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Brownsville at 85.975 vs Houston at 98.629.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $264,336 to $195,993 moving to Brownsville.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6Β°F) and Brownsville (74.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 3.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.8% β $62,894 β $48,675 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 household income compare in Houston vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $62,894 in Houston β a 22.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 353 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 12.8% lower than Houston (85.975 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $264,336 in Houston β a 25.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 353 mi and the route typically takes 6h 43m via US 77 and US 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Brownsville, TX.