Brownsville TX vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Denver
13.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 13.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 0.3% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 27.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $541,899 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 49.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 25.9% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.4 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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