Brownsville TX vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Gresham
16.5%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Gresham
21.1%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 112,818 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 16.5% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 0.3% | 4.4% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 21.1% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Gresham
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 23.6% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Gresham
56.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $472,119 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 56.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Gresham, OR | 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
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.8 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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