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City Report · TN

Brownsville

Pop. 9,622·63rd most expensive in Tennessee·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$932/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.7%
vs US Median
-$1,033
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Brownsville · $932
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $932/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$37,000/yr
Local median income
$43,494/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Brownsville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$680
1 BR
$690
2 BR
$900
3 BR
$1,200
4 BR+
$1,430
Research median
$900/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$11,184/yr
At $932/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Brownsville, TN is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,622
Median income
$43,494
Median age
40.4
Renters
52.4%
Age distribution
24.2%
21.6%
21.7%
20.5%
Under 1824.2%
18–3421.6%
35–5421.7%
55–6411.9%
65+20.5%
Gender
44.2%
55.8%
Male44.2%
Female55.8%
Race & ethnicity
24.5%
67.4%
White24.5%
Black67.4%
Hispanic4.7%
Other3.5%
Education (25+)
16.2%
44.1%
25%
14.7%
No HS diploma16.2%
HS diploma44.1%
Some college25%
Bachelor's+14.7%
Housing tenure
47.6%
52.4%
Owner47.6%
Renter52.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Brownsville, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$35,395 → $43,494
up 22.9%
Population
9,807 → 9,622
down 1.9%
Renter share
55.2% → 52.4%
-2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
9.9% → 14.7%
+4.8 pts
Median age
39.9 → 40.4
+0.5 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $35,395 to $43,494 across the same window, up 22.9% versus 2021. Census counts show Brownsville, TN losing about 185 residents over the five-year window, down 1.9% on net. The renter share has eased from 55.2% to 52.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 9.9% to 14.7% across the same window.

Community

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View Brownsville rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Brownsville on your salary?

At $932/mo, how Brownsville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Brownsville rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Brownsville. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Brownsville

About renting in Brownsville, TN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Brownsville is $932/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $680/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $900/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $690/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,200/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($43,494/yr), Brownsville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Brownsville an affordable city for renters?

Brownsville is considered affordable for renters. At $932/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($43,494/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Brownsville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Brownsville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $37,000/year (~$18/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $932/mo in Brownsville. The local median household income is $43,494/yr, meaning the typical Brownsville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Brownsville?

Rent in Brownsville has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Brownsville rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Brownsville is one of the more affordable cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #63 out of 65 tracked cities at $932/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Brownsville?

Dyersburg is nearby and more affordable at $757/mo, which is $175 less than Brownsville.

What percentage of Brownsville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.4% of Brownsville households are renters, while 47.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Brownsville has a strong rental market.

How does Brownsville rent compare to the national average?

Brownsville's median rent of $932/mo is $1,033 (53%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #63 out of 65 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $932/mo, rent takes ~26% of Brownsville's median household income ($43,494/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Brownsville 26%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Brownsville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Brownsville, TN

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