Brownsville TX vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 97,227 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 7.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $380,101 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 41.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 45.5 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, 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 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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