Brownsville TX vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Charlotte
34.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Charlotte
18.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Charlotte
17.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 18.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 41.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 17.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Charlotte
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Charlotte
51.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $399,070 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 51.5% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Charlotte
41.6 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 59.9°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 41.6 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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