Brownsville TX vs Fontana CA — 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%
Fontana, CA
California · Population: 56,358
- Median HH Income$111,797
- Median Home Price$641,894
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Fontana
56,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Fontana
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Fontana
43.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Fontana
32.0%
Fontana +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Fontana
43.1%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Fontana
1.2%
Fontana +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Fontana
36.5%
Fontana +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Fontana
17.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 56,358 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 43.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 32.0% | Fontana + |
| White | 45.5% | 43.1% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 1.2% | Fontana + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 36.5% | Fontana + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Fontana
$111,797
Fontana +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Fontana
$48,238
Fontana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Fontana
$77,230
Fontana +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Fontana
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Fontana
7.3%
Fontana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Fontana
44.9%
Fontana +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $111,797 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $48,238 | Fontana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Fontana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.3% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 7.3% | Fontana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 44.9% | Fontana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Fontana
$641,894
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Fontana
66.1%
Fontana +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $641,894 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 66.1% | Fontana + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Fontana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Fontana
2388
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Fontana
33.2%
Fontana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Fontana
11.5%
Fontana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Fontana
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Fontana
16.3%
Fontana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Fontana
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Fontana
11.4%
Fontana +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 33.2% | Fontana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.5% | Fontana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 16.3% | Fontana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Fontana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Fontana
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Fontana
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fontana, CA | 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
Fontana
7.9 µg/m³
Fontana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Fontana
75.0%
Fontana +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fontana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fontana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Fontana
28.1 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fontana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.1 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fontana leads in median household income at $111,797, 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 503 in Fontana. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Fontana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fontana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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