Brownsville TX vs Chesapeake VA — 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%
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 0.3% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 7.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $422,528 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 40.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.3 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chesapeake scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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