Brownsville TX vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
McKinney
33.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
McKinney
21.0%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
McKinney
44.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 148,848 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 21.0% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 37.8% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 44.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
McKinney
$29,291
McKinney +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
McKinney
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $29,291 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 18.5% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $487,346 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
McKinney
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
McKinney
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 64.2°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 40.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
McKinney
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 35.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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