Brownsville TX vs Kent 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Kent
14.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 84,389 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.8 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 14.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 0.3% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.9% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 31.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $657,911 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.2% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 39.1 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.0 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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