FairRentWize

Brownsville-Harlingen vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville

Fair Market Rent Comparison — HUD 2025 Data

Quick Answer

Brownsville-Harlingen is 160% cheaper for renters. A 2-bedroom rents for $678/mo vs $1,760/mo in Santa Cruz-Watsonville — saving $12,984/year.

Rent by Unit Size

Unit SizeBrownsville-HarlingenSanta Cruz-WatsonvilleDifference
Studio$459$1,172$713
1 Bedroom$551$1,475$924
2 Bedrooms$678$1,760$1,082
3 Bedrooms$807$2,195$1,388
4 Bedrooms$964$2,530$1,566
Median Income$44,211$89,493$45,282

Brownsville-Harlingen

Studio
$459/mo
1 BR
$551/mo
2 BR
$678/mo
3 BR
$807/mo
4 BR
$964/mo
Median Income
$44,211/yr
Full Brownsville-Harlingen profile →

Santa Cruz-Watsonville

Studio
$1,172/mo
1 BR
$1,475/mo
2 BR
$1,760/mo
3 BR
$2,195/mo
4 BR
$2,530/mo
Median Income
$89,493/yr
Full Santa Cruz-Watsonville profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brownsville-Harlingen or Santa Cruz-Watsonville cheaper to rent in?
Brownsville-Harlingen is cheaper — a 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $678/mo vs $1,760/mo in Santa Cruz-Watsonville. That's $1,082/mo or $12,984/year more expensive in Santa Cruz-Watsonville (160% higher).
What is the 2-bedroom rent in Brownsville-Harlingen vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Brownsville-Harlingen is $678/month. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, a 2-bedroom FMR is $1,760/month.
How do incomes compare between Brownsville-Harlingen and Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The median household income in Brownsville-Harlingen is $44,211/year. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville it is $89,493/year. Santa Cruz-Watsonville has the higher median income.
What is the studio rent in Brownsville-Harlingen vs Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
A studio apartment Fair Market Rent in Brownsville-Harlingen is $459/mo. In Santa Cruz-Watsonville it is $1,172/mo.