Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Brownsville
188,023
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 188,023 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 39.9% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 46.9% | 0.3% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 0.8% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $48,675 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $21,338 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 24.9% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 22.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 40.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 18.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 36.5% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.3% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 74.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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