Brownsville TX vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 114,799 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 45.5% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 0.3% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 19.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $484,226 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 44.0% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.5% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.1% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 47.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 30.1 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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