Brownsville TX vs Cape Coral FL — 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%
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Cape Coral
48.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Cape Coral
17.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cape Coral +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Cape Coral
1.6%
Cape Coral +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Cape Coral
25.1%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 206,387 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 48.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 17.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 72.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 0.3% | 4.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 25.1% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Cape Coral
25.7%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $76,062 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $39,603 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 9.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 25.7% | Cape Coral + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Cape Coral
$339,638
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $339,638 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 77.7% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 30.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.5% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 14.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.6% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Cape Coral
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cape Coral, FL | 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
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cape Coral + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Cape Coral
31.1 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 31.1 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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