Brownsville TX vs Greensboro NC — 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Greensboro
34.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Greensboro
12.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 12.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 40.4% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 10.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Greensboro
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $58,884 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $35,858 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 18.4% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Greensboro
$265,214
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Greensboro
50.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $265,214 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 50.3% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Greensboro
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Greensboro
13.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.1% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.0% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.5% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.5% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Greensboro
42.2 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 59.1°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 42.2 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Greensboro
23.4 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.4 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Greensboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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