Brownsville TX vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Naperville
22.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 149,424 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 40.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 22.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 7.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $618,452 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Naperville, IL | 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
Brownsville +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 33.8 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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