Brownsville TX vs Dayton OH — 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Dayton
1.2%
Dayton +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 136,741 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.0% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 0.3% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.2% | Dayton + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 5.5% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Dayton
$26,381
Dayton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Brownsville +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $43,454 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $26,381 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,300 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 9.7% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 27.1% | Brownsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 20.7% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 48.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Dayton
17.6%
Dayton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 42.9% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 17.6% | Dayton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 21.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 20.5% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 40.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.2 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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