Brownsville TX vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.6 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 14.0% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 0.3% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 16.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,226 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Des Moines
$210,703
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $210,703 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.0% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.8% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.4% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Des Moines
35.6 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 35.6 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA