Brownsville TX vs Cambridge MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 117,794 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 45.5% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 0.3% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 8.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $1,041,988 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 33.7% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.5% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.3 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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