Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 77.2% | 45.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 0.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 0.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $48,675 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $21,338 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 24.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 22.3% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
59.9%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 59.9% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 40.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 18.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 16.7% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 36.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.3% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Brownsville
27.4 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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