Beaumont 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)
Beaumont, TX
Texas · Population: 113,710
- Median HH Income$57,530
- Median Home Price$170,393
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+25.2%
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
Beaumont
113,710
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Beaumont
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Beaumont
35.3
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Beaumont
10.8%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Beaumont
33.9%
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Black
Beaumont
44.9%
Beaumont +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Beaumont
3.5%
Beaumont +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Beaumont
20.8%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Beaumont
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,710 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 33.9% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 44.9% | 0.3% | Beaumont + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 0.8% | Beaumont + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Beaumont
$57,530
Beaumont +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Beaumont
$32,993
Beaumont +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Beaumont
$63,758
Brownsville
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Beaumont
5.3%
Beaumont +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Beaumont
19.8%
Beaumont +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Beaumont
25.2%
Beaumont +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,530 | $48,675 | Beaumont + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,993 | $21,338 | Beaumont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.1% | Beaumont + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 24.9% | Beaumont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.2% | 22.3% | Beaumont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Beaumont
$170,393
Beaumont +
Brownsville
$196,920
Homeownership Rate
Beaumont
54.2%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $170,393 | $196,920 | Beaumont + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
442
Brownsville
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Beaumont
2339
Brownsville
2339
Tie
| Metric | Beaumont, 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
Beaumont
42.1%
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.3%
Beaumont +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Beaumont
18.9%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
17.6%
Beaumont +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
14.4%
Beaumont +
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Beaumont
16.0%
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 40.8% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Beaumont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 36.5% | Beaumont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.6% | Beaumont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
68.6°F
Beaumont +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Beaumont
60.4 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.6°F | 74.5°F | Beaumont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Beaumont
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Beaumont
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Beaumont, 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
Beaumont
22.3 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Beaumont, TX | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Beaumont leads in median household income at $57,530, while beaumont offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $170,393. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Beaumont. Beaumont has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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