Brownsville TX vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 112,546 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 10.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 0.3% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 12.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 53.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.8% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 32.2 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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