Brownsville TX vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 11.7% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 8.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Detroit
$24,029
Detroit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Brownsville +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $39,575 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $24,029 | Detroit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 14.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 31.5% | Brownsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 17.6% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 49.7% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Brownsville +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 45.6% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 19.2% | Brownsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 22.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 21.8% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 31.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.3 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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