Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Brownsville
188,023
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 188,023 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 59.9% | 45.5% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 0.3% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 0.8% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Brownsville
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $48,675 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $21,338 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.1% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 24.9% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 22.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Brownsville
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Brownsville
2339
Tie
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.8% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 18.7% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 36.5% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.3% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Austin +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 74.5°F | Austin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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