Brownsville TX vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Macon
18.3%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 61,773 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 43.7% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.0% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 19.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 47.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Macon
64.6°F
Macon +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 64.6°F | Macon + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 45.7 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 30.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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