Brownsville TX vs Columbia SC — 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 138,019 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 0.3% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 5.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $55,653 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.6% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Columbia
$229,993
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $229,993 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 47.3% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.2% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 66.7°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 46.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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