Brownsville TX vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 9.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 0.3% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 8.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $293,233 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 55.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.6% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 29.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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