Brownsville TX vs Irvine CA — 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 45.5% | 38.7% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 2.0% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 11.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $1,566,872 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 43.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 65.3°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.0 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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