Brownsville TX vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Independence
5.3%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 121,944 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 38.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.3% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 0.3% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 12.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 20.9% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $210,384 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.9% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.4% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 43.7 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, 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 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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