Brownsville TX vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 136,859 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 0.3% | 8.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 5.1% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,226 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $210,271 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.4% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.6% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 37.6 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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