Brownsville TX vs Cicero 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%
Cicero, IL
Illinois · Population: 26,938
- Median HH Income$57,479
- Median Home Price$268,119
- Unemployment12.7%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Cicero
35.6
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Cicero
15.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Brownsville +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Cicero
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 26,938 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.6 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 15.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 26.6% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 0.2% | Brownsville + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 37.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Cicero
$57,479
Cicero +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Cicero
$25,488
Cicero +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Cicero
24.7%
Cicero +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $57,479 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $25,488 | Cicero + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 12.7% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 24.7% | Cicero + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 20.2% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Cicero
$268,119
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $268,119 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Cicero
29.7%
Cicero +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 35.5% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.5% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 29.7% | Cicero + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.0% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cicero, IL | 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
Brownsville +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Cicero
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cicero, 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 +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 33.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cicero leads in median household income at $57,479, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Cicero 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, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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