Brownsville TX vs Chattanooga TN — 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%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
182,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 182,832 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.6 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 0.3% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 9.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $61,028 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $40,040 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 35.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
$322,291
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
53.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $322,291 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 53.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.2% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 12.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 60.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 52.5 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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