Hardwood flooring cost in Brownsville, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (500 sq ft)
- $4,400 – $10,200
- Per sq ft
- $8.85 – $20.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −19%
- US $9,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #300
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install hardwood flooring in Brownsville, plan on $4,400 to $10,200 for 500 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $8.85 to $20.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 19% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $17.13 an hour in the Brownsville area, 41% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your hardwood flooring cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 500 sq ft in Brownsville, TX, standard level
$6,150 to $8,500
About $12.50 to $17 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 33% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,100 | $5,750 |
| Labor | $2,100 | $2,700 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $6,150 | $8,500 |
Cost breakdown for 500 sq ft in Brownsville, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,800 | $4,900 | $7,050 | 67% |
| Labor | $1,600 | $2,400 | $3,200 | 33% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $4,400 | $7,300 | $10,200 | 100% |
Where the Brownsville price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 70%, floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) at 30%. Weighted together, Brownsville wages are 0.64 times the national level. Labor makes up about 33% of the midpoint estimate (42% 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 500 sq ft comes to $4,900, compared with $5,250 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (86.0) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 30% 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 labor market for hardwood floor
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Brownsville is 0.64 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 70%) 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.
Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Brownsville metro, so we used the Texas statewide median: $20.71 an hour against $27.15 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.22 and $22.87 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($22.26 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $460. At the 25th percentile ($11.25) it shrinks by about $530. The total moves by 6.3% or 7.2%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 70% | $11.25 | $17.13 | $22.26 | $29.12 | 0.59 | metro |
| Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) | 30% | $18.22 | $20.71 | $22.87 | $27.15 | 0.76 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.64 | |||||
Why two Brownsville quotes can differ
Solid versus engineered
Solid hardwood is $11-$25 per sq ft installed and engineered hardwood is $9-$20 (HomeGuide).
Materials and labor
Materials are $6-$15 per sq ft and installation labor adds $3-$10 per sq ft.
Layout
Room shape, stairs and installation method change the labor side.
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, tile flooring runs −11% and laminate flooring −21%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate flooring | 500 sq ft | $1,500 – $5,600 | −21% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,050 – $9,050 | −11% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $16,400 – $27,900 | −11% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $3,950 – $19,500 | −16% |
How Brownsville compares
Same job, same size (500 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Austin is the priciest of the group at $7,950.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TXthis page | $4,400 – $10,200 | $7,300 | |
| McAllen, TX50 miles | $4,600 – $10,600 | $7,600 | +3% |
| Corpus Christi, TX125 miles | $4,750 – $10,900 | $7,850 | +7% |
| Laredo, TX160 miles | $4,600 – $10,600 | $7,600 | +3% |
| San Antonio, TX240 miles | $4,750 – $10,900 | $7,800 | +7% |
| Austin, TX285 miles | $4,850 – $11,100 | $7,950 | +9% |
| Texas (statewide) | $4,950 – $11,300 | $8,150 | +11% |
| United States | $5,500 – $12,500 | $9,000 | +23% |
Across 300 US metros, Brownsville comes in at #300 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $11,500; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $7,300 (midpoints, 500 sq ft). Statewide, Brownsville is 10% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $5,100 – $11,700 | $8,400 | +15% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $5,050 – $11,600 | $8,300 | +13% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $4,850 – $11,100 | $7,950 | +9% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $4,750 – $10,900 | $7,800 | +7% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $4,600 – $10,600 | $7,600 | +4% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $4,600 – $10,600 | $7,600 | +3% |
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 | $5,700 – $13,000 | $9,350 | +28% |
| Hickory, NC | 154,090 jobs | $5,000 – $11,400 | $8,200 | +12% |
| Gulfport, MS | 158,310 jobs | $4,950 – $11,400 | $8,200 | +12% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $4,950 – $11,300 | $8,100 | +11% |
Brownsville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$4,400 to $6,750
Standard solid oak, simple layout
Standard
$6,150 to $8,500
Wider planks or a better grade, some stairs
Premium
$7,900 to $10,200
Exotic species, herringbone or complex layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| one room (200 sq ft) | $1,750 – $2,700 | $2,450 – $3,400 | $3,150 – $4,100 |
| main floor (500 sq ft) | $4,400 – $6,750 | $6,150 – $8,500 | $7,900 – $10,200 |
| whole house (1,200 sq ft) | $10,600 – $16,200 | $14,800 – $20,400 | $19,000 – $24,600 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $6,150 to $8,500 for Brownsville, TX is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $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.
Hardwood flooring in Brownsville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install hardwood flooring in Brownsville?
For 500 sq ft, expect $4,400 to $10,200 in the Brownsville area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,150 to $8,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for hardwood floor in Brownsville?
About $8.85 to $20.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $11 to $25.
+Is hardwood floor cheaper in Brownsville or McAllen?
McAllen is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 500 sq ft there is $7,600, which is 3% more than Brownsville ($7,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Brownsville?
About 33% at the midpoint, or $2,400 out of $7,300. Materials are 67% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would main floor (500 sq ft) cost in Brownsville?
$4,400 to $10,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does hardwood floor need a permit in Brownsville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Brownsville area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Brownsville expensive for hardwood floor compared with the rest of Texas?
Brownsville is 10% below the Texas statewide estimate ($8,150 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Brownsville?
The BLS median is $17.13 an hour in the Brownsville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $11.25 to $22.26.
+What do basic and premium hardwood floor work cost in Brownsville?
For 500 sq ft, basic work runs $4,400 to $6,750 and premium work $7,900 to $10,200. Basic means: standard solid oak, simple layout. Premium means: exotic species, herringbone or complex layout.
Hardwood flooring 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.