ZIP Code 78521 — Brownsville, TX Home Prices (2026)
The typical home in ZIP 78521 (Brownsville, Texas) is worth about $173,000 at roughly $156 per square foot — 9% more affordable than the Brownsville median and 41% more affordable than the typical U.S. home.
How 78521 compares
ZIP 78521 is one of the more affordable ZIP codes in Brownsville: its typical home value of $173,000 ranks #3 of the 3 Brownsville ZIP codes we track (the citywide range runs from $173,000 in 78521 to $237,000 in 78526). Per square foot it costs about $156, against $162 for Brownsville as a whole, $173 for Texas, and $195 nationally.
| Area | Typical value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| ZIP 78521 | $173,000 | $156 |
| Brownsville, TX | $191,000 | $162 |
| Texas | $264,000 | $173 |
| United States | $294,000 | $195 |
Home value by size in 78521
Using this ZIP’s rate of about $156 per square foot. Condition, lot, and the exact street move these meaningfully — use the estimator below for a home-specific figure.
| Home size | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $156,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $234,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $312,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $390,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $468,000 |
Salary needed to buy a home in ZIP 78521
To buy the typical $173,000 home in ZIP 78521 with 20% down, you need a household income of roughly $47,000 a year (about $1,100 a month for the mortgage, taxes, and insurance). With 10% down the bar rises to about $56,000, because the loan is bigger and mortgage insurance kicks in.
| Down payment | Cash down | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% (+PMI) | $8,700 | $1,360/mo | $58,000/yr |
| 10% (+PMI) | $17,300 | $1,300/mo | $56,000/yr |
| 20% | $34,600 | $1,100/mo | $47,000/yr |
Assumes a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.5%, property tax at 1.1% and insurance at 0.45% of value per year, PMI of 0.75% on loans with less than 20% down, and the standard 28% housing-to-income rule. Your rate, taxes, and HOA will move these — run your own numbers in the mortgage calculator.
What your budget buys in ZIP 78521
At about $156 per square foot, here is roughly how much home different budgets get you in ZIP 78521:
| Budget | Approx. size | What that looks like locally |
|---|---|---|
| $150k | 960 sq ft | around the typical home here |
| $200k | 1280 sq ft | around the typical home here |
| $250k | 1600 sq ft | above the median — larger homes or the pricier ZIPs |
| $300k | 1920 sq ft | above the median — larger homes or the pricier ZIPs |
| $400k | 2560 sq ft | above the median — larger homes or the pricier ZIPs |
Wondering where that budget goes further? The relocation calculator ranks hundreds of U.S. cities by what the same money buys — it opens pre-filled with a typical 78521 home.
Estimate a specific home in 78521
The estimator below is pre-set to ZIP 78521 — pick your home’s size for an instant ballpark, then open the full calculator to adjust beds, baths, and condition.
All Brownsville ZIP codes by home value
Where 78521 sits among Brownsville’s 3 ZIP codes:
ZIP 78521 home prices: frequently asked
What is the average home price in ZIP code 78521? +
What is the price per square foot in 78521? +
What salary do you need to buy a house in ZIP 78521? +
Is 78521 an expensive ZIP code? +
See the full Brownsville home values page, all Texas cities, or price per square foot by ZIP code nationwide.
Directional estimates from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research), not appraisals. A single ZIP contains very different homes; actual values vary and change over time.