Brownsville TX vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Cary
23.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 176,686 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 39.8 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 23.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 0.3% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 9.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $629,864 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 59.4°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 46.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.3 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA