Brownsville TX vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 185,097 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 3.8% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 39.9% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 3.1% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $197,044 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 51.4% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Mobile
17.0%
Mobile +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 17.0% | Mobile + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.3% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.9% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 67.4°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 65.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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