Brownsville TX vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 121,537 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 6.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 0.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 7.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $225,222 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 55.0% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.8% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.1% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 67.6°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 61.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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