Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
27.2%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 27.2% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 2.2% | 0.3% | Bellevue + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 0.8% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $48,675 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $21,338 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.1% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 24.9% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 22.3% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Brownsville
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 40.8% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 18.7% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.7% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 36.5% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 13.3% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Brownsville
27.4 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 74.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 27.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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