Brownsville TX vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 152,014 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.4% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 0.3% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 5.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $593,739 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 55.6% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 22.9% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 65.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 51.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.4 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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