Brownsville TX vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
66.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 135,887 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.8 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 45.5% | 24.8% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 66.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $28,490 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.9% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 14.2% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $531,592 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 25.4% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Elizabeth
28.1%
Elizabeth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 28.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.0% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 29.3 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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