Brownsville TX vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 71,455 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 4.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 0.3% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 5.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $294,254 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 49.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 21.1% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Johnson City, TN | 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
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, 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 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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