Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 53.6% | 45.5% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 0.3% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 0.8% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $48,675 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $21,338 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 24.9% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 22.3% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 40.8% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 18.7% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.7% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 36.5% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.3% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Brownsville
27.4 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 74.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 27.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Alexandria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
Compare More Cities
Alexandria, VA vs New York, NYAlexandria, VA vs Los Angeles, CAAlexandria, VA vs Chicago, ILAlexandria, VA vs Houston, TXAlexandria, VA vs Phoenix, AZAlexandria, VA vs Philadelphia, PA