Brownsville TX vs Hattiesburg MS — 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%
Hattiesburg, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$221,516
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 45.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 0.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $46,995 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $221,516 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1808 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Hattiesburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 38.5% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.6% | Hattiesburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.3% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 12.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Hattiesburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 66.0°F | Hattiesburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 61.6 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Hattiesburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hattiesburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA