Brownsville TX vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 72,528 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 41.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 45.5% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.9% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $579,771 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 42.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 38.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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