Brownsville TX vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 82,506 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 48.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 12.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 0.3% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 14.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $312,001 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.1% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lakeland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 72.6°F | Lakeland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 54.8 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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