Brownsville TX vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.3 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 45.5% | 35.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 44.1% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.7% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $265,062 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 42.0% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Houston
24.0%
Houston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.1% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 24.0% | Houston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.6% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 48.7 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 29.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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