Brownsville TX vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 11.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 0.3% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 26.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $435,670 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Mesa
71.8°F
Mesa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 71.8°F | Mesa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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