Brownsville TX vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Clearwater
17.0%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Clearwater
17.1%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 117,075 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 46.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 17.0% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 0.3% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 17.1% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 32.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Clearwater
59.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $341,503 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 59.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Clearwater
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Clearwater
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 14.7% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Clearwater
73.8°F
Clearwater +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 73.8°F | Clearwater + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 54.7 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.3 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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