Brownsville TX vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 149,785 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.3 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 15.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 0.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 34.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $264,637 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 41.9% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.1% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 36.8 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 31.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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