Brownsville TX vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.5% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 27.7% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 4.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.5% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 54.3% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Montgomery
16.7%
Montgomery +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 46.4% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 64.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 52.8 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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