Brownsville TX vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 32.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 10.8% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 36.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 20.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $226,456 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 41.5% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 41.8% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.1% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 35.5 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, 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
Brownsville +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.1 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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