Housing
Home prices and rent in Brownsville
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with Texas and the U.S.
Census geography: Brownsville city, Texas. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
Brownsville vs. Texas and the U.S.
| Brownsville | Texas | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $139,900 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $923 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $52,130 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 62% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1995 | 1992 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $81,900 | $90,000 | $139,900 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $632 | $736 | $923 |
| Median household income | $32,288 | $38,588 | $52,130 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA · Cameron County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $64,600. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $46,900 | $53,600 | $60,300 | $66,950 | $72,350 | $77,700 | $83,050 | $88,400 |
| Very low income (50%) | $29,300 | $33,500 | $37,700 | $41,850 | $45,200 | $48,550 | $51,900 | $55,250 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $17,600 | $21,640 | $27,320 | $33,000 | $38,680 | $44,360 | $50,040 | $55,250 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in Brownsville?
$139,900, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $283,800 in Texas and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in Brownsville?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $923 a month, versus $1,403 statewide.
How much have home values risen in Brownsville?
The median home value went from $81,900 in 2014 to $139,900 in 2024 (+71%).
What is fair market rent in Brownsville?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX MSA is $827 for a studio, $884 for one bedroom and $1,042 for two bedrooms. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), Brownsville city, Texas. Values are estimates with margins of error.