Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Aurora +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 63.2% | 45.5% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 0.3% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 0.8% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Aurora +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $48,675 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $21,338 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.9% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 22.3% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Brownsville
59.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 59.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Aurora +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.8% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 36.5% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.3% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 74.5°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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