Brownsville TX vs Irving 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Irving
32.8
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Irving
43.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 32.8 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 45.5% | 36.7% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 43.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Irving
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $344,888 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 38.3% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Irving
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Irving
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irving, 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%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Irving
20.6%
Irving +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 20.6% | Irving + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.0% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irving, TX | 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
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Irving
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irving, 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 +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.0 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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