Brownsville TX vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 0.3% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 10.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $216,863 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 54.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Little Rock
13.3%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.5% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 50.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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