Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Brownsville
30.9
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Brownsville
45.5%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Boulder +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 30.9 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 81.8% | 45.5% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 0.3% | Boulder + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 0.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Brownsville
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $48,675 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $21,338 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 24.9% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 22.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 40.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 18.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 36.5% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.3% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Brownsville
27.4 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 74.5°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 27.4 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Brownsville
22.2 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 22.2 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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