Amarillo TX 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)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
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
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Brownsville
188,023
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 188,023 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 68.0% | 45.5% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 0.3% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 0.8% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Brownsville
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $48,675 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $21,338 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 6.1% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 24.9% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 22.3% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Brownsville
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Brownsville
2339
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Amarillo +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 40.8% | Amarillo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.7% | Amarillo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 36.5% | Amarillo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Amarillo +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
Brownsville
27.4 in
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 74.5°F | Amarillo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 27.4 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Brownsville
22.2 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.2 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Amarillo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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