Brownsville TX vs Kennewick WA — 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Kennewick
22.3%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Kennewick
3.1%
Kennewick +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 23,594 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 38.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 22.3% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 0.3% | 3.1% | Kennewick + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 10.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $433,399 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Kennewick
13.1%
Kennewick +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 37.4% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.1% | Kennewick + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 54.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 32.4 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kennewick scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.4%.
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