Brownsville TX vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 154,776 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 18.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 44.0% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 35.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Kansas City
$28,059
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $28,059 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 20.2% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Kansas City
$202,558
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $202,558 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 41.2% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 38.1 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, 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 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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