Brownsville TX vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
59.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 112,612 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 32.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 10.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 0.3% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 59.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.4% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $290,963 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 55.6% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, 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 834 in Las Cruces. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA