Brownsville TX vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Miami
1.6%
Miami +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Miami
71.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 39.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 45.5% | 34.2% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.6% | Miami + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 71.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $580,996 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 30.7% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Miami
15.5%
Miami +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Miami
27.2%
Miami +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 15.5% | Miami + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 27.2% | Miami + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Brownsville +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 75.8°F | Brownsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 64.1 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 29.9 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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