Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Albany
18.9%
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Brownsville
0.8%
Brownsville +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 18.9% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 76.3% | 0.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 0.8% | Brownsville + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Albany +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Brownsville
24.9%
Brownsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $48,675 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $21,338 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 24.9% | Brownsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 22.3% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Brownsville
$196,920
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $196,920 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Albany, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Brownsville
18.7%
Brownsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Albany +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 40.8% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 18.7% | Brownsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 36.5% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.6% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Albany +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 74.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Brownsville
22.2 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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%.
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