Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 53.0% | 45.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 0.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 0.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $48,675 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $21,338 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 24.9% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 22.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.7% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 36.5% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.3% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 74.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Brownsville
22.2 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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