Brownsville TX vs Laredo TX — 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Laredo
25.4%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Laredo
0.5%
Laredo +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Brownsville +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 25.4% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 37.6% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 0.5% | Laredo + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 0.5% | Brownsville + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Laredo
$24,584
Laredo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Laredo
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $24,584 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 20.8% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 21.5% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Laredo
$221,806
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $221,806 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Laredo
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Laredo
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Laredo
16.4%
Laredo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Laredo
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Laredo
35.7%
Laredo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 42.2% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 16.4% | Laredo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.3% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 35.7% | Laredo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Laredo
74.2°F
Laredo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 74.2°F | Laredo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Laredo
22.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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