Brownsville TX vs Flint 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Flint
2.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Brownsville +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 80,835 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 2.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 34.4% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 0.6% | Brownsville + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 4.5% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Brownsville +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Brownsville +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $36,194 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $20,799 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 34.4% | Brownsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 13.1% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Flint
54.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 54.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Brownsville +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 50.5% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 19.3% | Brownsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 23.5% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 25.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Flint
31.7 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 31.7 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Flint, 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 +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.0 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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