Brownsville TX vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 12.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 12.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $286,396 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 57.4% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.8% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Jacksonville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 70.2°F | Jacksonville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 50.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.0 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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