Brownsville TX vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Chicago
20.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 20.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 39.1% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 29.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.9% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $324,183 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.0% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 37.8 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 36.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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