Brownsville TX vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Madison
11.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 31.8 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 11.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 0.3% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 9.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $429,253 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 46.6% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.8% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 37.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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