Bathroom remodel cost in Brownsville, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $3,950 – $19,500
- Per sq ft
- $83.50 – $417
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −16%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #298
- 1 = most expensive
Brownsville homeowners pay roughly $3,950 to $19,500 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $83.50 to $417 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Brownsville is 16% lower. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $22.53 an hour in the Brownsville area, 27% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Brownsville, TX, standard level
$8,600 to $14,800
About $184 to $317 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $4,100 | $7,050 |
| Permits and fees | $330 | $530 |
| Total | $8,600 | $14,800 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Brownsville, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 49% |
| Labor | $1,850 | $5,550 | $9,300 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $430 | $690 | 4% |
| Total | $3,950 | $11,700 | $19,500 | 100% |
Where the Brownsville price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 25%, tile and stone setters at 25%, carpenters at 20%, electricians at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 10%. Weighted together, Brownsville wages are 0.75 times the national level. Labor makes up about 48% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Brownsville metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,700, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (86.0) and land at $170 to $690.
Data note: 35% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Brownsville. The wage table below marks each row.
Brownsville against nearby metros and the rest of Texas
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Brownsville. Laredo comes closest at about $11,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TXthis page | $3,950 – $19,500 | $11,700 | |
| McAllen, TX50 miles | $3,950 – $19,700 | $11,800 | +1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX125 miles | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | +8% |
| Laredo, TX160 miles | $3,950 – $19,600 | $11,700 | level |
| San Antonio, TX240 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | +7% |
| Austin, TX285 miles | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | +10% |
| Texas (statewide) | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | +10% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +20% |
Across 300 US metros, Brownsville comes in at #298 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Brownsville is 9% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $4,500 – $22,200 | $13,300 | +14% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | +13% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | +10% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | +7% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $4,000 – $19,900 | $12,000 | +2% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $3,950 – $19,700 | $11,800 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Brownsville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Brownsville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $5,200 – $25,800 | $15,500 | +32% |
| Hickory, NC | 154,090 jobs | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | +5% |
| Gulfport, MS | 158,310 jobs | $4,200 – $20,900 | $12,600 | +7% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | +8% |
Cost by quality level and size in Brownsville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Brownsville wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$3,950 to $10,100
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$8,600 to $14,800
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$13,300 to $19,500
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $1,850 – $4,700 | $4,000 – $6,900 | $6,150 – $9,050 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,500 – $9,050 | $7,650 – $13,200 | $11,800 – $17,400 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,200 – $13,400 | $11,300 – $19,600 | $17,500 – $25,700 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $8,500 – $22,100 | $18,700 – $32,200 | $28,900 – $42,400 |
What nearby projects cost in Brownsville
Because every project leans on different trades, Brownsville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen backsplash runs −11% and kitchen cabinets −22%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $760 – $2,400 | −16% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $16,400 – $27,900 | −11% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,550 – $10,600 | −22% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $3,900 – $13,300 | −12% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $260 – $1,350 | −11% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Brownsville is 0.75 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $22.53 an hour, which is 27% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $26.87 an hour. BLS counts 250 of them working in the area, 15.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Brownsville metro, so we used the Texas statewide median: $22.61 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $26.45 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $17.13 an hour, which is 41% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $11.25 and $22.26 an hour. BLS counts 250 of them working in the area, 15.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.15 an hour, 27% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $17.81 and $27.60 an hour. About 450 work in the metro. That is 28.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Brownsville metro, so we used the Texas statewide median: $22.88 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $28.09 an hour.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $20.00 an hour, which is 16% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $16.94 and $22.01 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 6.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($26.87 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($17.97) it shrinks by about $280. The total moves by 2.2% or 2.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 157,450 jobs in the Brownsville-Harlingen area. That makes it the 151st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $17.97 | $22.53 | $26.87 | $30.67 | 0.73 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $19.28 | $22.61 | $26.45 | $26.77 | 0.84 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $11.25 | $17.13 | $22.26 | $29.12 | 0.59 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $17.81 | $22.15 | $27.60 | $30.38 | 0.73 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $19.28 | $22.88 | $28.09 | $28.33 | 0.81 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $16.94 | $20.00 | $22.01 | $23.75 | 0.84 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.75 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Brownsville bid
Tile
New tile costs $10-$50 per square foot installed, and regrouting runs $7-$28 per square foot.
Moving plumbing
Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity in place keeps plumbing costs down. Moving them does not.
Contractor fee
A general contractor charges $50-$150 an hour or 10-20% of the project cost.
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed bathroom remodel report for Brownsville, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Brownsville, TX: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Bathroom remodel in Brownsville: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Brownsville?
For 45 sq ft, expect $3,950 to $19,500 in the Brownsville area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,600 to $14,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Brownsville?
About $83.50 to $417 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $170 to $690 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Brownsville or McAllen?
McAllen is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $11,800, which is 1% more than Brownsville ($11,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Brownsville?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $5,550 out of $11,700. Materials are 49% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Brownsville?
$5,200 to $25,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Brownsville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $690 for fees in the Brownsville area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Brownsville expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Texas?
Brownsville is 9% below the Texas statewide estimate ($12,900 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Brownsville?
The BLS median is $22.53 an hour in the Brownsville area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.97 to $26.87.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Brownsville?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $3,950 to $10,100 and premium work $13,300 to $19,500. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Brownsville
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 45% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range split for bathroom projects (50% labor, 45% materials, 5% permits and design). Their sample is their own guides, not a survey of contractors, so treat the split as approximate.