Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Brownsville
30.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 30.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 57.6% | 45.5% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 0.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 0.8% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Brownsville
24.9%
Brownsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $48,675 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $21,338 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.1% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 24.9% | Brownsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 22.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 74.5°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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