Akron OH vs Brownsville TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Brownsville
188,023
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 188,023 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 56.1% | 45.5% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 0.3% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 0.8% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $48,675 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $21,338 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 24.9% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 22.3% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Brownsville
$196,920
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $196,920 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Akron +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.8% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.7% | Akron + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 36.5% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.6% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 13.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 74.5°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA